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Tecnomodel have announced a collection of Grand Prix models, including the Ferrari 312 from 1968, the Jordan 198 and Larrousse Lola LC88 from 1998, the McLaren MP4/1B from 1982 and it successor from 1983, the MP4/1B; the Footwork Arrows FA13 from 1992, and the March 881 from 1988. All of which are now available to Pre-Order.
The March 881 was the first F1 car designed by Adrian Newey. Its innovative aerodynamic design, changed the shape of F1 cars forever. In iconic turquoise Leyton House livery, with groundbreaking raised nose, effective diffusers and sculptured wing plates, it was arguably one of the prettiest F1 cars ever designed. Tecnomodel’s release includes four versions,in 1:18 scale resin, of the car, as driven by Ivan Capelli (German and Belgian Grand Prix versions) and Mauricio Gugelmin (British and Italian Grand Prix versions) during the 1988 F1 season.
Eddie Jordan, who sadly passed away in March 2025, is commemorated by Tecnomodel's release of the Jordan 198 F1 car. This collection celebrates the charismatic "motor-mouthed wheeler-dealer" in his prime as Jordan Grand Prix team principal in 1998. Two models feature the controversial side-wings used at Imola (visible on Damon Hill's and Ralf Schumacher's cars) which were banned immediately after that race—explaining their absence on the British and Australian GP model versions. Despite early struggles, the Jordan 198 ultimately secured the team's historic first Formula 1 victory at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix.
The colourful Larrousse Lola LC88 F1 car was driven by four drivers in the 1988 F1 season. Tecnomodel is releasing one version for each driver : Philippe Alliot, Yannick Dalmas, Aguri Suzuki and Pierre-Henri Raphanel.
The car was designed by Eric Broadley for the Larrousse F1 team around a naturally aspirated 3.5 litre Cosworth DFZ V8 engine. Despite its lack of on-track success in F1 it has a niche following and does stand out with its Carbon, Dark Blue, Red and Yellow F1 livery.
The Ferrari 312 from 1968 was among the first F1 cars to use an aerodynamic rear wing, in a season that brought significant technical innovation to F1. Tecnomodel announced three versions - featuring Jacky Ickx at Nurburgring (German GP), Rouen (French GP) and Zandvoort (Dutch GP); and one featuring Derek Bell driving at Watkins Glen International (USA GP) with a blue ‘go faster’ stripe.
The Footwork FA13 F1 car was run by the Footwork Arrows team in the 1992 F1 season. Powered by a Mugen-Honda V10 engine it was a midfield performer, but with the experienced Michele Alboreto, it was capable of scoring points. Tecnomodel’s release features two versions of Alboreto’s car : one at the Monaco GP and one at the Spanish GP with wet tyres, where he secured P5 from a P16 start. His team mate Aguri Suzuki also features with one version being the car he raced at his home Japanese GP, and the other being his Belgium GP car.
The McLaren MP4/1B F1 car from the 1982 season was driven by Niki Lauda marking his return to F1 out of retirement, and John Watson, who said the car was like “flying in Concorde”. Tecnomodel features both cars from the Monaco GP, where Watson took P2, after a crazy last few laps. They also feature Watson’s winning car from the Detroit GP in Long Beach where he went from 17th to take the win. And Lauda’s car which he drove intelligently to take a P3 at Brands Hatch. Tobacco decals are provided with this model for separate application.
The McLaren MP4/1C, from the 1983 Formula One season, versions include the Monaco and USA Grand Prix’s, with drivers Niki Lauder and John Watson - plus the Silverstone pre-season testing car, driven by Ayrton Senna.
Boss Ron Dennis was seriously impressed with Ayrton Senna’s performance, with him being quicker than the other drivers, at Silverstone. This was a glimpse of what was to come from Senna, who made his Formula One debut the following year.
Race summaries of the McLaren MP4/1C Grand Prix Models:
Disaster at Monaco Grand Prix
Under the Automobile Club of Monaco’s rules only 20 cars out of the 26 cars entered could qualify for the starting grid. The McLaren’s Ford Cosworth V8 engine was under powered compared to the competition, and so, although it had a cutting edge monocoque carbon fibre chassis, it was always going to be a challenging season up against its turbo charged rivals.
After practice, Lauda and Watson finished 22nd and 23rd respectively, in qualifying. This meant they did not qualify to start the race and had to watch the race as spectators. A disaster for McLaren, leading to many excuses for the poor performance being bandied about, the main one being blaming their tyre suppliers, Michelin.
Heroes at Long Beach (USA Grand Prix)
Qualifying didn’t go much better at Long Beach, USA, with Watson and Lauda qualifying in 22 nd and 23 rd places respectively. This time however, they staged a spectacular come back and went through the field to claim 1 st and 2 nd place, in a remarkable Grand Prix.
John Watson went from 22nd to win the Grand Prix. It was one of the most memorable wins from the back of the grid in Grand Prix history. On a challenging street circuit, he demonstrated the potential of the MP4/1C chassis even with the less powerful Cosworth engine.
The victory is attributed to John Watson's exceptional driving and physical preparation, particularly his work with physiotherapist Willi Dungl. At the start of the 1983 season, McLaren team boss Ron Dennis felt that the drivers, John Watson and Niki Lauda, should make the same effort in their physical preparation as the team did in building competitive race cars. So, he made Dungl a full-time team member.
Leading up to the race, Watson had exclusive use of Dungl for about a week or so and his physical condition improved, specifically noting improvements in running, heart rate, and recovery rate. As the second week leading up to the race continued, Watson felt his strength increase, including not just physical strength but also mental strength. Willi Dungl was perhaps the first to implement a scientific approach to the physical, dietary, and psychological training of a racing driver.
Here's the full list of Grand Prix Models in this release:
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Winner USA GP Driver John Watson Car No.7 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-385A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 USA GP Driver Niki Lauda Car No.8 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-385B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Monaco GP Driver Niki Lauda Wet Tyres Car No.8 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-385C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Monaco GP Driver John Watson Wet Tyres Car No.7 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-385D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Silverstone Test Drive Ayrton Senna Car No.7 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-385E)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Winner USA GP Driver John Watson Car No.7 with Driver Figure – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-402A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 USA GP Driver Niki Lauda Car No.8 with Driver Figure – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-402B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Monaco GP Driver Niki Lauda Wet Tyres No.8 with Driver Figure – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-402C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Monaco GP Driver John Watson Wet Tyres No.7 with Driver Figure – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-402D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1C 1983 Silverstone Test Ayrton Senna No.7 with Driver Figure – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-402E)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 March 881 1988 Belgium GP Driver Ivan Capelli – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-370A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 March 881 1988 Italy GP Driver Mauricio Gugelmin – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-370B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 March 881 1988 German GP Driver Ivan Capelli Wet Tyres – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-370C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 March 881 1988 British GP Driver Mauricio Gugelmin Wet Tyres – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-370D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Jordan Honda 198 1998 Australian GP No.10 Ralf Schumacher – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-384A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Jordan Honda 198 1998 British GP No.9 Damon Hill – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-384B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Jordan Honda 198 1998 Imola GP No.9 Damon Hill – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-384C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Jordan Honda 198 1998 Imola GP No.10 Ralf Schumacher – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-384D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Larrousse Lola LC88 1988 Japanese GP A. Suzuki – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-371A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Larrousse Lola LC88 1988 Monaco GP Philippe Alliot – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-371B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Larrousse Lola LC88 1988 USA GP Yannick Dalmas – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-371C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Larrousse Lola LC88 1988 Australian GP Pierre-Henri Raphanel – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-371D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Ferrari 312 F1/68 French GP Jacky Ickx 1968 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-317A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Ferrari 312 F1/68 Dutch GP Jacky Ickx 1968 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-317B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Ferrari 312 F1/68 Nurburgring GP Jacky Ickx 1968 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-317C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Ferrari 312 F1/68 Watkins Glen GP Driver Derek Bell 1968 – Limited Edition Resin Model (TMD18-317D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Footwork FA13 1992 Japanese GP Aguri Suzuki – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-375A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Footwork FA13 1992 Monaco GP Michele Alboreto – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-375B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Footwork FA13 1992 Belgium GP Aguri Suzuki Wet Tyres – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-375C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 Footwork FA13 1992 Spain GP Michele Alboreto Wet Tyres – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-375D)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1B 1982 Winner British GP Niki Lauda – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-368A)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1B 1982 Winner Detroit GP John Watson – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-368B)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1B 1982 Monaco GP Niki Lauda – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-368C)
- Tecnomodel 1:18 McLaren MP4/1B 1982 Monaco GP John Watson – Limited Edition Resin Model (TM18-368D)
Shop for these and other Pre-Orders at diecastmodelclub.co.uk
Shop for in stock models available for next day delivery at model-universe.com