Best F1 Die-Cast Models To Own

For most of us, owning a real formula 1 car is far beyond our reach, but settling for a high detailed die-cast model, is obtainable.  Many companies make die-cast models of F1 cars, but which are the best F1 die-cast models.

The Best Die Cast Models are:

1. Brabham BT44B
2. Benetton B195
3. Lancia Ferrari D50
4. Ferrari 156
5. Ferrari 158
6. Ferrari 312 T2
7. Ferrari 312 T4
8. Ferrari SF71H
9. Ferrari SF1000
10. Haas VF20
11. Jordan 191
12. Lotus 79
13. McLaren M23
14. McLaren M23
15. McLaren MP4/14
16. McLaren MP4/5B
17. Mercedes W196
18. Mercedes-AMG W11
19. Red Bull RB13
20. Red Bull RB16B
21. Toleman TG183B
22. Tyrrell 006
23. Tyrrell 018
24. Williams FW15C

The F1 die-cast models featured in this article are all true to the original car, and each has a unique history or achievement associated with them, so read on for the details.

If you’re looking for some F1 merchandise, check out the awesome stuff at the official F1 store here.

The Best Formula 1 Die-Cast Models

The best F1 models need to be accurate miniature replicas of the original race car, the coloring needs to be the same shade, and all the livery must be correct.  The car interior and driver decals must match the specific race or time frame.  Here is a list of die-cast F1 cars that meet these criteria.

1. Brabham BT44B F1 1975 #7 Reutemann

The Brabham BT44B was designed by team co-owner Gordon Murray and offered new features compared to the earlier BT44.  The new car had a revised rear suspension, a re-designed monocoque for extra stability, and was an overall safer racing car.  The BT44B debuted at the Argentinian Grand Prix in 1975, and C Reutemann managed a 3^rd place podium finish.

The white Brabham BT44B car model is detailed and has a realistic cockpit and engine bay.  The decals are of car Number 7 of C Reutemann at the Argentina Grand Prix 1975.

2. Benetton B195 Australia 1995 #1 Schumacher

The Benetton B195 was a championship-winning car for Michael Schumacher in 1995.  Benetton had changed its engine supplier to Renault for the 1995 season, but the car remained further unchanged compared to the previous season.  Schumacher claimed that the car was only fast if it was driven on the edge, and he did just that by taking 9 wins for the season.

The Detail on the Benetton B195 is very good, and all the livery for the Australian Grand Prix is correct, even down to the red marking on the front wing.  The engine cover is fixed, and only the gearbox is visible through the rear wing.

3. Lancia Ferrari D50 UK 1956 #1 Fangio

The Lancia Ferrari D50 was driven by Juan Manuel Fangio, who is still considered the best Formula 1 driver of all time.  Fangio won the World championship in 1956 in the Lancia Ferrari D50 by taking the top podium in 5 races.  The D50 was powered by a 2488cc V8 engine producing 285 bhp, quite a feat at the time!  The car used side pannier fuel cells, giving it the iconic look of the 1950s race cars.

The 1:18 scale Lancia Ferrari D50 model has great detailing, and you can remove the front engine bay panel to reveal the engine.  The cockpit features a wooden steering wheel, leather seat, and period-correct dials and gauges.

4. Ferrari 156 Sharknose 1st Belgium 1961 #4 Hill

The Ferrari 156 was Ferrari’s new 1961 race car was designed for the new Formula 1 regulations.  The engine capacity was reduced from 2500cc to 1500cc, similar to the Formula 2 cars of the time.  Phil Hill won the World Championship in 1961, and Ferrari took the constructors championship thanks impart to the Ferrari 156.

The Ferrari 156 was given the nickname “sharknose” as the front air intake duct resembles a shark’s snout.  The Ferrari factory’s policy saw all the 156 Sharknose race cars scrapped and destroyed, but one or two cars may have been rescued.

The Ferrari 156 Sharknose is a quality model with good visual cues.  The engine is visible through the plastic engine covers, just like the original car.

5. Ferrari 158 4th Monaco 1965 #18 Surtees

The Ferrari 158 was the successor to the Ferrari 156.  It was given a 1500cc V8 engine layout and was the first Ferrari F1 car to use a monocoque chassis.  John Surtees drove the number 18 car and won his only World Championship with the 158.

The 1:18 scale Ferrari 158 model is a beautiful reproduction of John Surtees’s number 18 race car.  The detailing on the engine, suspension, and cockpit is very good, and the correct blue color has been used on the wheel.

6. Ferrari 312 T2 World Champion 1977 #11 Lauda

The Ferrari 312T2 featured several aerodynamic changes compared to the 1975 Ferrari 312T.  The 312T2 no longer had a huge air-box behind the driver’s head but rather featured a NACA-shaped air intake incorporated into the cockpit sidewalls.  The Ferrari 312T2 was also the car that Niki Lauda had his fiery accident in at the 1976 Nurburgring Grand Prix

The 1:18 scale Ferrari 312T2 model is the 1977 World championship-winning car that Niki Lauda drove.  The Top bodywork panel can be removed to reveal the engine, driving assembly, and air ducts.  The detailing is of a very high standard.  The 321T2 will be welcomed by any Formula 1 enthusiast.

7. Ferrari 312 T4 Watkins Glen 1979 #12 Villeneuve

The Ferrari 312T4 was the first Ferrari designed to have Ground Effect Aerodynamics.  Ferrari managed to win 6 races in 1979, and Gillies Villeneuve won the World Championship by winning the final race of the season at Watkins Glen, USA.

The 1:18 scale Ferrari 312T4 features a removable top body panel, that once it is removed, reveals all the car’s components.  The model is of high quality and is period correct.

8. Ferrari SF71H Australia 2018 #7 Raikkonen

The Ferrari SF71H was arguably the manufactures most successful hybrid-era car.  The car was launched at the Australian Grand Prix in 2018 and managed a 1-3 podium finish on its debut.  The Ferrari SF71H did not win any titles that year but managed 6 wins and 24 podiums in 2018.

 The most noticeable additions to the car were all the new aerodynamic bargeboards on the side of the car and the shark fin running down the engine cover to the rear wing.

The 1:18 scale Ferrari SF71H model is highly detailed and displays all the aerodynamic additions placed on the car.  The model features the car Kimi Räikkönen drove in the Australian Grand Prix.

9. Ferrari SF1000 8th Tuscany 2020 #16 Leclerc

The Ferrari SF1000 was similar to the 2019 car but had a new livery to celebrate Ferrari’s 1000^th race entry.  Ferrari has managed 773 podium finishes, 84 one-two finishes, 228 pole positions, 254 fastest laps, and 238 race wins in 1000 races.

The 1:18 scale Ferrari SF1000 model features the 1000 Grand Prix entry livery.  Charles Leclerc drove the number 16 car at the Tuscany Grand Prix in Italy, where he crossed the finish line in 8^th   place.  The model is very detailed and features the race car with the red band soft tires that Leclerc finished the race on.

10. Haas VF20 Abu Dhabi 2020 #50 Schumacher

The Haas VF20 was driven by Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen during the 2020 season.  Mick Schumacher had won the 2020 Formula 2 world championship and had signed to race for Haas in the 2021 season. 

During the Friday free practice session at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi, Mick Schumacher took the VF20 on the track for testing so he could get a feel for the car that he would be driving the next season.

The 1:18 scale Hass VF20 model depicts the car’s wings in a low aerodynamic setting.  The detailing on the model is very good.

11. Jordan 191 Paul Ricard Test 1991 Gachot

The Jordan 191 was designed by Gary Anderson and debuted at the Paul Ricard Circuit in 1991.  The Jordan team managed to finish fifth in the constructor’s championship by scoring 13 points during the season. 

The 1:18 scale Jordan 191 model is a black livery version of the test car.  The model depicts only the decals of the engine manufacturer Ford and the team name.  The model is highly detailed, and the black test version displays all the lines that helped the car to win the 1991 racing car of the year award by Autosport magazine.

12. Lotus 79 1st Belgium 1978 #5 Andretti

The Lotus 79 was the first Formula 1 car to take advantage of ground effects.  It was the first Formula 1 car designed with the assistance of computer design aids.  The Lotus 79 also was the first to use computers to analyze race data in the pits.  The car debuted at the Belgium Grand Prix, where it took pole position and won the race.

The 1:18 scale Lotus 79 model is very detailed, and the rear wing assembly, rear suspension, and gearbox are all visible.  The chassis under the car shows the ventury channels that assisted the car with its impressive down-force.

13. McLaren M23 2nd South Africa 1976 Hunt

The McLaren M23 was launched in 1976 at the South African Grand Prix.  The first version of the car features a tall airbox above the driver’s head and a thick rear wing.  James Hunt took second place at the Grand Prix after qualifying on pole position.

The 1:18 scale McLaren M23 has great detail, and the top body panel can be removed to showcase the cockpit and engine bay.

14. McLaren M23 World Champion 1976 #11 Hunt

The McLaren M23 features the side intake airbox and a new shaped rear wing used in the latter part of the 1976 season.  The design was introduced as part of the new FIA regulations for the coming seasons.  James Hunt won the World Championship that year by a single point over Nikki Lauda.

 The 1:18 scale McLaren M23 model features a removable engine cover, revealing the new side intake airbox design and engine bay.  The detailing of the model is accurate to the original race car.

15. McLaren MP4/14 World Champion 1999 Hakkinen

The McLaren MP4/14 was the fastest car of the 1999 season, with its aerodynamics even more advanced than the previous year.  During the season, the race car suffered from reliability issues, but Mika Hakkinen still claimed the 1999 world Championship for a 2^nd consecutive year.

The 1:18 scale McLaren MP4/14 is a highly detailed model featuring the “Mika” branding on the livery instead of the West tobacco sponsor.  This branding was not allowed to be displayed in European countries and was replaced with the driver’s name.  The model displays the correct tire sponsor and red nose tip in the front of the car.

16. McLaren MP4/5B World Champion 1989 #27 Senna

The McLaren MP4/5B was an extremely successful car in the 1989/90 seasons.  The McLaren team took 36 podiums, 16 wins, 27 pole positions, and a total of 263 points before it was replaced.  Ayrton Senna won his 1989 World Championship in MP4/5B.

The 1:18 scale McLaren MP4/5B model has all the details of the real car.  The model has the chevron-Marlboro livery used at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit in Belgium.

17. Mercedes W196 1st UK 1955 #12 Moss

The Mercedes-Benz W196 debuted in 1954 and won two World Championships in its only two years competing in Formula 1.  Juan Manuel Fangio and Sterling Moss each managed to win a championship with the W196.  The race car featured new technology for that time, such as direct fuel injection and desmodromic valves

The 1:18 scale Mercedes-Benz W196 is highly detailed and features the number 12 car driven by Sterling Moss.  The cockpit displays the correct tartan seat cover that Moss used during his races.

18. Mercedes-AMG W11 1st Turkey 2020 #44 Hamilton

The Mercedes-AMG W11 is the car that Lewis Hamilton drove to win his 7^th World Championship title.  The Mercedes-AMG team also broke the record for the most consecutive constructors championships won (7), taking the title from Ferrari.  The W11 took a total of 13 wins and 15 pole positions during the 2020 season.

The 1:18 scale Mercedes-AMG W11 model has all the details of the real car and features Lewis Hamilton’s number 44.  The model also features the green intermediate tires he used at Istanbul Park in Turkey to take his 7^th World Championship title.

19. Red Bull RB13 F1 2017 Ricciardo

The Red Bull RB13 was powered by Renault (Tag Heuer branded) using ExxonMobil fuel and managed 13 podiums in 20 races in the 2017 race season.  The RB13 was not closely matched to the top teams such as Mercedes or Ferrari, but the car managed to stand its ground against them.

The 1:18 scale Red Bull RB13 model is very detailed and features driver Daniel Riccardo in the driver’s seat.

20. Red Bull RB16B 1st Emiglia Romana 2021 #33 Verstappen

The Red Bull RB16B was the same as the 2020 RB16, but with a new gearbox casting design and rearranged rear suspension.  The RB16B became the first non-Mercedes car to win a championship since 2013.  Max Verstappen drove the Red Bull RB16B in the 2021 Championship decider against Lewis Hamilton at Abu Dhabi and won.

The 1:18 scale Reb Bull RB16B model has all the details of the original race car.  The Model features Max Verstappen in the cockpit on hard compound tires, which he used to cross the finish line at the Italian Grand Prix.

21. Toleman TG183B 2nd Monaco 1984 #19 Senna

The Toleman TG183B is an unusual formula 1 race car.  The car features a distinct twin rear wing design with cooling radiators making up the front wings.  Ayrton Senna made his Formula 1 debut in 1984 and managed to get two 6^th place finishes in the Toleman.  The car only participated in four races before it was replaced due to the front of the car moving around at high speeds.

The 1:18 Tolman TG183B model is a good replica of the actual race car.  The model features Ayrton Senna with his signature yellow and green helmet sitting in the cockpit.

22. Tyrrell 006 World Champion 1973 #5 Stewart

The Tyrrell 006 was launched at the Canadian Grand Prix in 1972.  Francois Cevert and Jackie Stewart were the two Tyrrell 006 cars drivers and had a successful 1973 season with Stewart winning the World Championship.  The season ended tragically with Cevert having a fatal accident at the United States Grand Prix at the end of the season.

Stewart drove his 006 at the Watkins Glen Circuit after the accident to determine how his teammate’s accident occurred.  But, after the lap, he parked his car and walked away from Formula 1!

The 1:18 scale Tyrrell 006 is a highly detailed model and features 1973 World Champion Jackie Stewart at the wheel.  The engine and rear wing assembly are well detailed and are visually correct to the real car.

23. Tyrrell 018 4th France 1989 #4 Alesi

The Tyrrell 018 was said to be the fastest Formula 1 car of the 1989 season with its sleek and subtle aerodynamic design, despite the car’s engine being majorly underpowered.  The Tyrrell 018 was the first Tyrell to lead a Grand Prix since the 1983 Detroit Grand Prix. Jean Alesi had a blistering start and went from 4^th to 1^st   and led the race for 34 laps until Ayrton Senna caught and passed him to win the race.

The 1:18 scale Tyrell 018 model is accurate to the real car and has Jean Alesi in the cockpit.

24. Williams FW15C World Champion 1993 #2 Prost

The Williams FW15C was claimed to be the most technologically sophisticated Formula 1 car of all time.  The race car had anti-lock breaks, active suspension, and traction control, which was very advanced for the time.  The FIA deemed the driver aids to be such an advantage that they banned most of the aids for the 1994 racing season.  Alan Prost managed to win the 1993 World Championship with the Williams by winning 7 Grand Prix.

The 1:18 scale Williams FW15C model is highly detailed, and the engine cover is removable to reveal the engine bay.  The cockpit and steering wheel are well portrayed in this model.

Conclusion

There are some truly iconic Formula 1 cars on the list, and most enthusiasts would love to have some of these cars in their collection.  All the F1 models are as beautiful as the real racing cars and represent the Championship wins and unique traits of their time!

References

• http://www.bburago.com/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One_car