Formula 1 fans have 24 Grand Prix races to watch every season, plus a slew of pre- and post-race programming and a big-budget Netflix series to watch. Then there’s the stuff, the video games, watches, apparel, and even a special edition deck of Uno cards. F1 is an entertainment juggernaut, and it has everything that comes with that.
But the most classic way to express your F1 fandom remains with models, of which there are many that haven’t really changed in years. Many of the best options are made by Luppa, a Barcelona-based company that specializes in high-quality toys and models. And if you have an empty shelf, Walmart has plenty of discounted Luppa models and building kits to fill it up. Check out our five favorite picks below that are a great way to start or expand your collection.
This 1:43 model is made of zinc alloy metal and high-quality ABS components. It’s a very accurate model of the Renault R25 that was driven by Fernando Alonso when he won his first of back-to-back World Drivers’ Championships in 2005. It has the same paint colors and sponsor logos as the real article, making it a nostalgic buy for longtime fans.
This model is of the Renault RS20 driven by Daniel Ricciardo in 2020, his last year before moving to McLaren. It comes mounted to a sturdy base and ensconced within an elegant window box. The wheels turn, which is a nice touch, but otherwise this model has no moving parts.
If you prefer to assemble models yourself, this 140-piece take on the RB19 driven by Checo Pérez and Max Verstappen, the Honda that set a record by winning 21 of the 22 races it was driven in. It comes with decals for both drivers, so you can choose your favorite, and plenty of other intricate details packed into this foot-long model.
Lots of Formula 1 fans weren’t even born when Michael Schumacher won the 1994 championship competing for Benetton. This model of the somewhat controversial car he used to do it is a real memento from the era before the sport’s recent explosion in popularity, and its decidedly old-school aesthetic looks great next to models of newer cars.
Hyper realism is the name of the game with this model, from the real rubber tires to the precise 1:18 scale to the accurate teal paint job and sponsor decals. It wasn’t the most successful car even driven on the F1 circuit, but it certainly is one of the most striking, and this model will look great on your shelf.
Deals We’re Loving
- Luppa F1 Team Jordan 199 Heinz-Harald Frentzen Diecast Model, $16 (was $18) at Walmart
- Luppa F1 Team BT49 Nelson Piquet Diecast Model, $16 (was $19) at Walmart
- Luppa F1 Team AMG W14 Lewis Hamilton and George Russell 140-Piece Building Kit, $62 (was $88) at Walmart
About the author
Cameron LeBlanc
Commerce Writer, Autoblog