Minichamps 1:43 2008 Scuderia Toro Rosso STR3 Sebastian Vettel

Toro Rosso STR3 Sebastian Vettel 2008 Season

This is Minichamps 1:43 version of Toro Rosso STR3 as driven by Sebastian Vettel during the 2008 F1 Season. The first model is the 2008 race car standard edition. The second one is the Italian GP version where Vettel won his first career F1 race.





It was not a smooth start for vettel in 2008. First four races he retired before being able to see the finish line placing 17th during the 5th race of the season. However in the last 13 races of the year, he finished in top-10 ten times while also winning his first career race during the Italian GP. With this win, Vettel became the youngest driver in F1 history to win a race. This was also Toro Rosso's first podium and first win.

The car mold is the same. The only difference between the 2 models that I noticed are the inlay, the tyres, tyre marks, vettel's helmet and the raised fists in the Italian GP version. For me, this is one of the best looking F1 models created by minichamps.

After his first win, he was started to be called "Baby Schumi" but he was wise to deflect the praises and comparisons to Michael. I guess anyone who can win in a mid-tier F1 car is destined to become a champion. And truly he is a champion. Not once but twice already! And with a strong start so far this season, albeit not that strong compared to last year, I won't be surprised to see him win his 3rd championship of his still young career.

Faces for Charity 2012

And so, me and my wife decided to take part on this year's Faces for Charity which was started by Red Bull Racing and Wings for Life team. The goal of the charity is to raise funds for spinal cord injury research. With a minimum donation of 15 euros, you will be able to upload a photo which will be added to Sebastian Vettel's and Mark Webber's race car during the 2012 Silverstone GP. For each donation, Red Bull Racing will match every donation made.

Here are videos of Vettel and Webber appealing to everyone to join this initiative: Sebastian Vettel Mark Webber

This initiative was last done during Silverstone 2007 Grand Prix. During that time, it was David Coulthard and Mark Webber driving for the Red Bull Racing team. Vettel has not driven his first F1 race yet. Here are pictures of the drivers' cars back then. (Photos courtesy of f1fatatic.co.uk)

Coulthard's:


Webber's:


Of course I do not expect to see our faces in the race car. After all, there will be thousands of faces who are joining this good cause. If I can buy an F1 model cars for my collection, then definitely I should be able to contribute to this charity event.

There is still a lot of time to make a donation. Please go to the Faces for Charity home page and upload your photo and make a difference! Faces for Charity 2012

Picture of me and my wife uploaded to the site :)

STR2 Sebastian Vettel Chinese GP 2007

Minichamps 1:43 2007 Scuderia Toro Rosso STR2 China GP Sebastian Vettel

This is Minichamps 1:43 version of Toro Rosso STR2 as driven by Sebastian Vettel during the 2007 Chinese Grand Prix. 



In this race, Sebastian drove an excellent race having started from 17th on the grid to finish 4th place. This was Vettel's first championship points with the Toro Rosso team. His very first F1 championship point was actually during his stay with BMW Sauber when he scored 1 point during the 2007 US Grand Prix. Here are some other pictures of the model.

I must say that besides Hamilton, Vettel is one of the drivers I always want to watch drive. At a very young age, he is already considered one of the best and fastest drivers there is in F1. And this is something I believe and is something that cannot be denied. Although I would want to see Vettel and Hamilton driving the same car to see who really is faster. But that is in an ideal world and in reality, this will never happen.

So who do you think is faster between Vettel and Hamilton? Feel free to drop your inputs and comments. Thank you for browsing!