A Christmas idea? Formula 1 models that made history

What better gift for a fan – adult or child, it makes no difference – than one or more Formula 1 single-seaters, in scale? There are specialized shops for these models but also plenty of opportunities to find them online, perhaps getting in touch with other enthusiasts in communities and forums. Another avenue is online model trading sites, where sometimes rare finds are available. The great thing is that there are models for every budget, starting from 1:43 scale to the larger and more expensive 1:18 scale models.

In the gift-hunting season, Roarington proposes some single-seaters, including those from Mercedes, which have played significant roles in motoring history. Stay tuned for next week's ideas, but no more single-seaters…

Mercedes Benz Race Car Transporter The Blue Wonder and Mercedes 300SLR 1954

This remarkable mini transporter from 1954, equipped with the same engine as the 300SL, was used by the Stuttgart Manufacturer to transport the Formula 1 W196 or the 300SLR to racing circuits. A rare and beautiful piece.

Lotus 25 1963

Colin Chapman's masterful interpretation of a 1500cc Formula 1 single-seater: extremely aerodynamic, very fast, and agile. The Lotus 25, as it's known, was so dominant that its driver, Jim Clark, World Champion in 1963 and 1965, earned the nickname Jim 25.

March 711 1971

Its most ingenious feature is the placement of the front wing, resembling a flying saucer, arguably more beneficial for the visibility of the sponsor STP than for racing efficiency. Its fame stems less from race results and more from the fact that it was driven by the legendary and flamboyant Ronnie Peterson during his early years. For this reason, it holds a special place in the hearts of the more… mature enthusiasts.

Hesketh 308 1974

A young English Lord, Alexander Hesketh, took a gamble: to form his own Formula 1 team and build a car to propel his protégé, James Hunt, to the world title. The venture was as glamorous as it was picturesque, complete with oysters and Champagne in the pits and an obligatory aristocratic flair. However, the results were rather poor: Hunt won just one Grand Prix and only clinched the World Championship two years later with McLaren. A perfect excuse to watch the movie ‘Rush’ again.

Ferrari 312T 1975

This is the Formula 1 single-seater with which Ferrari and Niki Lauda clinched both the Constructors' and Drivers' Titles in 1975. The car was revolutionary, a testament to Mauro Forghieri's engineering genius. The 'T' in its name denotes the transverse placement of the gearbox, enhancing the car's balance, while its shape was the first true realization of the ground effect concept.

Tyrrell P34 6 Wheels 1976

Known for its single victory at the 1976 Swedish GP, this is the only six-wheeled car in Formula 1 history to have competed regularly. Designed to minimize drag with smaller front tires, it raced for just two seasons, hampered by the overheating of these tires. In the world of collectibles, it's a revered piece, unique and unrepeatable, especially after the FIA introduced a four-wheel limit for single-seaters.

McLaren F1 MP4/4 1988

This McLaren dominated the Formula 1 World Championship, winning all but one race – Ferrari's victory at Monza with Gerhard Berger – and gave Ayrton Senna his first World Title.

March 881 Leyton House 1988

The performance of this car, with its naturally aspirated engine during the turbo-dominated era, wouldn't surprise us today. It was, in fact, the first project of the genius Adrian Newey, the designer behind Verstappen's Red Bulls. Needless to say, its standout feature was its aerodynamic efficiency, allowing its V8 Judd aspirated engine to achieve remarkable results.