MP4-22 Lewis Hamilton 2007 Season

Minichamps 1:43 2007 Vodafone McLaren MP4-22 Lewis Hamilton

This is Minichamps 1:43 version of Vodafone McLaren MP4-22 as driven by Lewis Hamilton during the 2007 F1 season. I already posted pictures of the 2007 Canadian GP before so I just thought of completing the rest and take pictures of the other 2007 race car models that I have.

First is the 2007 race car standard edition.

Second is a special model to commemorate Lewis' first career podium finish during the Australian GP.

The 2 models are identical. The only difference is the presentation. Comparing to the Canada version, only the tyre marking is different. I guess this is the "problem" of most collectors. We know that the models are basically the same, but we just need to keep collecting these models for the sake of having a "complete" collection. I know I am guilty of this... :)

So, do you also collect every models just for the sake of having a "complete"collection? Or do you have a strict discipline when choosing what models to collect?

MP4-22 Lewis Hamilton Canada GP 2007

Minichamps 1:43 2007 Vodafone McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 Canadian GP Lewis Hamilton

Since this weekend is the 2012 Canadian GP, I thought of taking pictures of this model. This is Minichamps 1:43 version of McLaren Mercedes MP4-22 as driven to victory by Lewis Hamilton during the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix. 

In this race, Hamilton had both his first career pole position and first F1 win. Lewis led for most of the race even though the safety car was deployed a couple of times which increased the chances of other drivers to overtake him.

Lewis already raced 4 times at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during his career. In this particular track he has mixed results. He won twice (2007 and 2010) but also retired twice (2008 and 2011).  Lewis crashed into the back of Raikkonen's car during the 2008 GP while Button collided with Hamilton due to very low visibility that caused Lewis to retire during the 2011 GP .

For this year, I am hoping for another win for Lewis Hamilton in this track. Lewis, winning this weekend will create a peculiar pattern for the Canadian GP winning and losing alternately. Note that in 2009, there was no race held in Montreal. 

If Free Practice 1 is any indicator of what is to come, we will see a 7th winner on Sunday in 7 different races this year with Lewis getting his first win of the season.

MP4-26 Lewis Hamilton Winner Chinese GP 2011

Minichamps and Spark 1:43 2011 McLaren MP4-26 China GP Lewis Hamilton

2011 Chinese Grand Prix was 1 of only 3 races won by Lewis Hamilton last season. By both McLaren's and Hamilton's standard, last year's performance was below average. This year, Lewis is in his "old" driving form and was able to produce valuable points in every race. Although in my opinion, his current standing should be higher than what it is right now (currently 4th). If only McLaren crew can get it all together and stop making blunders that makes the whole team look stupid compared to other big teams such as Ferrari, Red Bull Racing and Mercedes. Hamilton should be leading the championship.

Nonetheless, 2011 Chinese GP is one of the highlights from last year for Lewis. To commemorate his victory, both Minichamps and Spark created a 1:43 scale of the MP4-26 race version.

Minichamps version:

Spark version:

I did not initially intended to buy 2 versions of the same car let alone for the same race. But for this case, I bought the two. Probably because I wanted to compare for myself the Spark and Minichamps version of this model. Here are a couple of pictures showing the details of both versions.

In my opinion, Minichamps edges Spark for this specific model. But both models has its own share of good and bad points. With that said however, this entry is not to do a review of the 2 models. I just wanted to share the pictures I took from my collection. It is up to you to decide which one you think is better based on the pictures.

It is also worth mentioning that Spark recently released a model for MP4-26 German GP which was also won by Lewis. Minichamps is also planning to release the same race version model. So before I get my hands on those two, i'm better off creating this entry to lessen my backlog. :)

Here is the last set of pictures for these models.

Any collector will tell you to buy both. At the end of the day, whatever you choose should be something that pleases you and your opinion is all that matters. :)

MP4-21 Lewis Hamilton 1st Roll Out Silverstone 2006

Minichamps 1:43 2006 McLaren MP4-21 Silverstone Lewis Hamilton

This is Minichamps 1:43 Lewis Hamilton 1st Roll Out (Silverstone, Sept. 19, 2006)

MP4-21 is the 2006 challenger of McLaren designed by Adrian Newey. The car was driven by Kimi Räikkönen, Juan Pablo Montaya and Pedro De La Rosa. Lewis Hamilton drove MP4-21 for his first F1 test with McLaren. Here are some other pictures of the model.