FSW Weekly Edition #41/2025

Formula 1 – Hill’s Lotus 49 and Ferrari’s Modern Charge

Few cars define Formula 1’s golden age like the Lotus 49, and Spark’s 1:43 recreation of Graham Hill’s 1968 Spanish GP winner captures it with breathtaking accuracy. This was the first car to integrate its engine as a structural part of the chassis, a Colin Chapman masterstroke that transformed the sport. Hill’s victory at Jarama, opening the season in style, marked the beginning of the Cosworth DFV’s dominance. Spark’s detailing brings the era to life: the exposed suspension, the red-and-gold Gold Leaf Team Lotus livery that ushered in the sponsorship age, and the high rear wing that defined the dawn of aerodynamic experimentation. It is a model that embodies one of Formula 1’s true turning points.

That sense of progression continues with Tecnomodel’s Grand Prix trio, capturing milestone moments in racing innovation. The Honda RA273, Cooper T51 and Lotus 94T each reflect a different stage of Formula 1’s evolution, from early mechanical purity to the first wave of turbocharged technology.

Completing the story is Spark’s 2025 F1 line-up, which brings the current grid to life. McLaren’s MCL39 race winners for Norris and Piastri, the Mercedes W16s driven by Russell and Antonelli, and Alpine’s Doohan A524 complete a modern snapshot of Formula 1’s new order. Alongside them, LookSmart’s Ferrari SF-24 collection celebrates the Scuderia’s resurgence, including Leclerc’s USA Grand Prix win, Sainz’s USA and Abu Dhabi podiums, and Leclerc’s Abu Dhabi third. Each model is finished in LookSmart’s signature high-gloss style, and the 1:5 Leclerc helmets from China and Japan 2025 make perfect display companions for the season’s story.

Lotus 49 1st Spain 1968 #10 Hill - SPK4829

Porsche 908/02 Flounder Ring/Spa/Hockenheim/Le Mans/Buenos Aires/BOAC 1970/1971 - MM356

Endurance & GT – Porsche’s “Flounder” and Spark’s Wide Canvas

Endurance racing has always been where art and engineering meet, and Marsh Models’ Porsche 908/02 “Flounder” captures that blend perfectly. Built as an aerodynamic experiment for the 1970 season, its wide, flattened profile earned it the nickname “Flunder.” Porsche used it to explore airflow and weight distribution, lessons that would later shape the legendary 917K and 936. Driven by Helmut Marko, Prince Leopold von Bayern, and a young Niki Lauda, it tackled the Nürburgring, Spa, Le Mans and Buenos Aires with lightweight efficiency and remarkable poise. Marsh’s hand-built model in 1:43 scale recreates every line and rivet, from the low-slung nose to the vented tail, with a finish that rewards close inspection. It is both a technical study and a visual celebration of Porsche’s most experimental era.

Surrounding it is Spark’s expansive endurance release, which spans everything from classic Le Mans legends to modern GT contenders. Highlights include the Cougar C02 Le Mans 1984, Porsche 718 RS61 Le Mans 1961, and a host of BMW, Chevrolet and Mazda winners from Spa and Sebring. Modern collectors will find Honda NSX-GTs, Lamborghini Huracans from Super GT 2025, and a broad Porsche GT3 Cup line-up. Adding to the mix, LookSmart’s 1:64 Ferrari 499P Le Mans 2023 winner honours AF Corse’s historic triumph in Ferrari’s return to endurance racing glory, offering collectors a small-scale reminder of the marque’s monumental 24-hour comeback.

Meanwhile, TrueScale and Top Speed look ahead with 2025 IMSA and Le Mans hypercars from Acura, Cadillac, BMW, Lamborghini and Corvette, providing a glimpse of the next generation of endurance icons.

Rally – Ogier’s Monte Carlo Triumph & Retro Rewind

Few drivers define rally greatness like Sébastien Ogier, and Spark’s 1:43 Toyota Yaris Rally1 captures the car that delivered his record-breaking 10th victory in Monte Carlo with precision and flair. That triumph was a masterclass in control, as Ogier balanced speed and finesse on the icy mountain passes of the Col de Turini to hold off Rovanperä by just seconds. Every element of Spark’s model is finely rendered, from the intricate aero surfaces and hybrid markings to the crisp red and white Toyota Gazoo Racing livery. It is a perfect tribute to one of rallying’s defining partnerships between driver and machine.

Adding to the variety, Trofeu’s new releases transport collectors back to the 1970s when touring and rally disciplines often overlapped. Among the highlights are Ford Capris from Knutstorp, Nürburgring and the Tourist Trophy, along with Capri and Escort Portugal entries, and Porsche 911RS and 911S rally cars from Monte Carlo and Portugal. DSN 43 contributes its own nostalgia with Fiat’s 124 Sport Spider Portugal 1974, Porsche’s 911 RSR Martini Le Mans 1973, and 911SC Condroz 1980, forming a cohesive story of rallying’s evolution from classic road racers to full competition legends.

Toyota Yaris Rally1 1st Monte Carlo 2025 #17 Ogier/Landais - SPK6888