It’s a few months since I last reported on additions to my 1:64 F1 collection – time for an update. The latest cars joining my grid are two new Aston Martins from Mini GT and, intriguingly, Pop Race. Both arrived recently, having been on preorder for more than a year; I was beginning to wonder whether the Pop Race in particular, would ever be released.
(find Pop Race Aston Martin 1:64 F1 on eBay)
(find Mini GT Aston Martin F1 on eBay)
As is often the way, it never rains but it pours, and these two closely related racers – from the 2023 and 2024 seasons respectively – showed up in the same box from Tokyo Station. Both are fully licensed, too, which is not always the case with Pop Race, sporting the appropriate ‘Official Product’ F1 team stickers.
I chose to order one car with Fernando Alonso (#14, the Pop Race AMR23) and one with Lance Stroll (#18, Mini GT AMR24), because it’s good to have some variety when they’re all lined up together in the cabinet. Stroll is a bit of a cult hero in our house here in Canada, even though neither he nor his two-time champion teammate have looked like troubling the podium in some time. Perhaps when Adrian Newey’s chassis and the Honda engine finally start doing their best work, that might change.
Let’s get right to it and see how the models compare.
There are two different approaches to packaging here – the Pop Race is in the usual cardboard box and plastic insert, while the Mini GT came with an additional plastic blister in this case. I cut that open and threw it away, retaining the standard oblong box for any future storage needs.
The models themselves are as good as identical in their weight and feel. They roll almost identically well, too, moving with satisfying heft and freedom, although the Mini GT has a slight edge. There are proper rubber tires, of course, with the Pop Race wearing the white-marked Pirelli ‘hard’ compound and the Mini GT on a set of red-marked ‘softs’.
Likewise, there’s little to separate them in terms of construction, taking similar approaches to the part breaks and materials used, although the Mini GT’s front wing is noticeably lower to the ground. They both have driver figures with fully decorated helmets, too.
Given the identically high quality of the paint and deco, it wouldn’t surprise me if they were made in the same factory, but I have no idea whether that’s true. Either way, the Pop Race AMR23 has to be up there with the very best models ever issued by the brand. Congratulations!
The high level of the Pop Race and Mini GT Astons is underlined by a comparison with the Spark AMR22 (#5, Sebastian Vettel) that I already had. The Spark is much lighter than the other two, does not sit squarely, and barely rolls because the wheels rub against the front wheel fairings.
Spark F1 cars always feel fragile, and I had one arrive with a snapped chassis a couple of years back. Spark has been producing dozens of contemporary F1 models for a few years now, and I love that they’re so comprehensive in their coverage, but it feels like the company needs to up its game in the face of its myriad new, competitively priced rivals. Even Majorette is joining the fray.
I thought I’d finish with the customary dive into my collection for some fun side-by-side pics. The vintage model here is the Lesney Matchbox 19c Aston Martin DBR5. This short-lived F1 car from 1960 shares more than its colour with the recent Astons – it was just as uncompetitive! Check out a more comprehensive survey of early Matchbox F1 history here.
I also pulled out a Kyosho-made, Gulf-sponsored DBR9, as raced to the GT1 class win at Le Mans in 2008. Unfortunately, I don’t have an example of this awesome car in matching, Aston racing green, but you get the picture.
That’s it for this quick look at some new 1:64 Formula 1 Aston Martins. Please let me know what you think in the comments, below. Happy collecting!
(find Pop Race Aston Martin 1:64 F1 on eBay)
(find Mini GT Aston Martin F1 on eBay)
(Know a young race fan? Check out my children’s book, 20 Great Race Cars)
(follow me on Instagram @diecast215)