Description

You are looking at a VUSE branded 1:43 McLaren-Mercedes MCL35M resin model of Belgian-English driver and Three-Time F1 race winner Lando Norris - made by resin and diecast German model manufacturer Minichamps (Product Code: 537 216604). The 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix would be the season-finale of a hotly contested and engrossing 2021 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season, dominated by the final round showdown (and a highly controversial ending) between Seven-Time World Champion Sir Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. Going under the radar would be another sort of battle for third in the Constructors Championship between McLaren and their once bitter rivals of old Ferrari. Although still with a mathematical chance, the team's poor run of form in recent races along with a mini renaissance from the Italian sqaud, meant only a miracle would be required to overturn the 38.5 point deficit the Woking outfit had to them with only 43 points available. Alas, the miracle never happened, and once again McLaren struggled to muster only a handful of points thanks to Lando Norris finishing in seventh place to confirm McLaren's 4th place Constructors position. He would be one of the five drivers controversially allowed by race director Michael Masi to unlap themselves under the Safety Car which pulled into the pits for a final lap championship shootout, which Max Verstappen won to claim his first title. McLaren ran a special "Art Car" livery in partnership with their sponsor VUSE's "Driven by Change" campaign for this race, with the trippy looking livery designed by female artist Rabab Tantawy from the UAE. On 8th December 2024, Lando won the season finale in Abu Dhabi, one which helped McLaren claim their first Constructors World Championship in Formula 1 since 1998. The model features Lando's McLaren-Mercedes MCL35M car with which he raced at the season-ending 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is Edition #221 of the long-running Minichamps 1:43 F1 McLaren Collection and is a limited edition of 768 pieces worldwide. It comes with the VUSE vape branding the car ran with at that race, omitted originally from the model due to Minichamps' licensing agreement with McLaren at the time, before their 2023 releases of fully branded models (MCL36/MCL60s), along with the aforementioned art livery. The model and lid are both in new condition and comes with a cellophane sleeve. Thanks for looking :)