2009 World Champion Jenson Button

Minichamps 1:18 2009 Brawn GP BGP 001 Brazil GP Jenson Button

This model is a 1:18 version of BGP 001 during the 2009 Brazilian Grand Prix as driven by Jenson Button to secure the 2009 F1 driver's championship. This model was produced by Minichamps to commemorate Jenson's championship winning season.

During the 2009 Brazilian GP (October 18, 2009), Jenson Button secured the driver's championship with still one race left. Brawn GP showed its dominance especially the first half of the season with Jenson winning 6 out of first 7 races. Thanks in part to the innovative diffuser design of the BGP 001. 

The innovation of Brawn's diffuser design seems to be the main factor for their early success. When other teams reconfigured their diffuser design, they were able to catch up with Jenson and Rubens. In fact, in the remaining 10 races, Brawn only won twice. With both wins coming from Rubens while Jenson struggled for the rest of the season. But even with the struggles of Jenson to win races, he was able to get valuable points which were enough to win the 2009 season.

Admittedly, I am not a big fan of Button. I only have this model because I am also collecting world championship models from 2007 onward. Here are some other stats from Jenson's championship winning season: 6 Race wins, 4 Pole position, 9 Podiums, 95 Points and 1st place in driver's championship.

 

2007 World Champion Kimi Raikkonen

Hot Wheels 1:18 2007 Ferrari F2007 China GP Kimi Raikkonen

Two years ago, I decided to collect world championship cars from 2007 F1 season onward. (Not necessarily a version from the last race of the season) I decided to start from 2007 season because of 3 reasons. First, I was not following F1 religiously until 2007. Second, I never like the color and liveries of Renault cars (R25 and R26) as driven by Alonso. Although I am sure many will argue that it is very nice. It is just my opinion. And third, it will be very expensive if I started collecting from earlier years :). I think the 3rd reason was the biggest factor for my decision!

This model is a 1:18 version of F2007 during the Chinese Grand Prix as driven to victory by Kimi Raikkonen. The model was produced by Hot Wheels to commemorate the 200th GP victory of Ferrari.




Kimi won the 2007 F1 season by beating Lewis Hamilton by 1 point. For some time, the championship was put into doubt when an investigation was raised by F1 stewards because of fuel irregularities in the cars of Rosberg, Kubica and Heidfield who all finished the Brazil race ahead of Lewis. If the 3 drivers were to be disqualified or penalized, that would put Lewis in 4th place during the Brazil GP which will then make Lewis the champion. However, it was decided that the 3 drivers will not be sanctioned or penalized. Thus, ensuring Kimi's legacy as an F1 world champion.

When I purchased this model via ebay, it was already customized to have the tobacco liveries used by Ferrari during the 2007 Chinese GP.

Here are the last set of pictures for this model showing the presentation made by Hot Wheels. It is limited to 5000 pieces and is seating on a special base presentation. If you look closely at the base, supposedly all the 200 GP won by Ferrari were inscribed on it.

Lastly, just a couple of few stats from Kimi's championship season. 6 Race wins, 3 Pole positions, 12 Podiums, 110 Points and 1st place in driver's championship.

2008 World Champion Lewis Hamilton

Minichamps 1:18 2008 McLaren MP4-23 Brazil GP Lewis Hamilton

My first F1 diecast model is Lewis Hamilton's World Championship car MP4-23. On November 2, 2008, Lewis won the driver's championship by beating Massa by 1 point (ouch!). 

Coming in to the race, Lewis only needed to secure the fifth position if Felipe is to win the Brazil GP. As expected, Felipe showed faultless driving starting from pole and winning the race. Up to the start of lap 71, it seemed Massa will be crowned F1 champion. At this point, Lewis is still in 6th position behind Timo Glock which is not enough to win. After Massa crossed the finish line, Ferrari seems to be the winner and is just waiting for Lewis to finish the last lap. But in the final lap, Lewis was able to pass Glock because of a degrading tyre in Timo's car. And that is enough to give Lewis Hamilton his first F1 World Championship edging Felipe Massa by a solitary point.

Below are some other stats for Lewis 2008 campaign:
5 Wins - 7 Poles - 10 Podiums - 98 Points - 1st Place driver's championship

Here are the pictures of the first diecast model I bought. It's a Minichamps 1:18 MP4-23 Lewis Hamilton (2008). 

Disclaimer: I am not a photographer and is also not pretending to be one! I just like to take pictures of my collection :)

Some other views of the model: