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.

schumacher on provisional pole for 2012 Monaco GP

BBR 1:43 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 Italy GP Michael Schumacher

Told myself that I will post a model from my collection whoever has pole position after the Monaco qualifying round. That is if I have a model of that driver. My guess was either Kimi or Lewis. I never thought it would be Michael Schumacher who will be on pole position! Because of the incident with Senna last race, Michael incurred a 5 place grid penalty. That means he will be starting from 6th position at the start of the Monaco Grand Prix. Nonetheless, it was a great drive for Schumi and a well deserved 1st pole position since his comeback with the silver arrows.

Although I must admit I am not a big fan of Schumacher. As a proof, I only have 1 F1 model which is from his last year with Ferrari. The model is BBR 1:43 248 F1 (BG316) driven by Michael Schumacher during the 2006 Italian GP. Michael won this race but did not start from pole. (2nd in the grid)

Although I would like to have more of Schumacher's model, I have not been able to find one at a reasonable price yet. Still looking for BBR EX21 which is a special edition 1:43 model of Schumacher's last win with Ferrari during the 2006 Chinese GP. Tips anyone where I can get one?

Here are some other views of the model. Again apologies for the quality of the pictures. I did not plan on having highly detailed pictures of my collection. I am just fond of taking a few pictures so I can appreciate my collection further. :)

Since I am a Ferrari fan as well, I decided to collect 1:43 BBR models from 2006 onward. Trying to have at least 1 model per year from any race won by Ferrari from any GP. Won't complain if I can buy more than one. (Although I am sure my wife will!) Also, I do not plan to have models of both drivers in the same year. I am only buying the car model of whoever is the #1 driver for Ferrari for a specific year. In the case for 2006 F1 season, it was Michael.

Schumacher's last pole position before retiring was during the 2006 French GP (July 15, 2006). In total, he has 68 career pole positions. This being his 69th. Though I wonder if this will count as he will lose the pole position due to a penalty. I guess we need to wait how many more he can achieve before retiring again. For sure we haven't seen the last of him yet...

Kimi Raikkonen aka "James Hunt"

I read an article on ESPNF1 about Kimi wearing a special helmet designed for this weekend's Monaco GP. No one really knows what is the reason why Kimi decided to use James Hunt's design for his helmet. When asked for a reason, he merely said "I think it's just a different design, a nice design". 

You have to admire Kimi's personality. Very laid back but never lacking in talent and is certainly one of the fastest drivers in F1. I actually like how he handles himself during F1 press conferences. Answering questions without BS. Although we all know that F1 is full of politics. And that is one aspect I think Kimi hates about this sport.

Whoever heard of an F1 driver joining a snowmobile race, and not using his real name so that he will not attract media attention? That sounds something Kimi will do without a doubt. This year, he expressed desire to join the Rally of Finland during the F1 break. But he was refused permission by team principal Eric Boullier. I honestly believe Boullier decided this with the best intentions for Kimi and the Lotus-Renault team. If I was the team principal, I will do the same to ensure drivers are healthy for the rest of the season. Especially now that the team is doing well and has a good chance of winning races this year.

Maybe Kimi wearing this week's helmet is a sign of things he might do in the future. Maybe he will still register for Rally of Finland or some other non-F1 racing using James Hunt or another pseudonym. Maybe not. But that is I think, what people admires about him.

Straight to the point, no politics, no BS, just pure racing.

For the full article from ESPNF1, here is the link: Hunt helmet a 'nice design' - Raikkonen by ESPNF1

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.

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: