Description

You are looking at a Verstappenshop.nl exclusive of the 1:43 Red Bull Racing-Honda RB16B diecast model of newly crowned Four-Time Formula 1 World Champion and third in the F1 all-time winners list Max Verstappen - made by resin and diecast German model manufacturer Minichamps (Product Code: 413 212333) The 2021 Formula 1 World Championship season, filled with exciting battles, controversial moments and flashpoints, fittingly ended with the most controversial of finishes amidst a tense duel between Seven-Time Formula 1 World Championship Sir Lewis Hamilton, and his title rival Max Verstappen at the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Both came into the finale tied on 369.5 points, knowing either whoever wins or scored one point more would become World Champion. Sir Lewis looked to break the long standing record of Michael Schumacher, the last remaining main record held by the German, with an eighth crown, while Max aimed to become the Netherland's first ever Dutch World Champion. For the majority of the race, it seemed like the former would prevail, with Verstappen unable to keep pace with the superior power of the Mercedes W12. Everything changed with five laps remaining, with Williams driver Nicholas "Goatifi" Latifi hitting the wall after a battle with HAAS's Mick Schumacher, which let Max pit his Red Bull RB16B for fresh soft tyres, while Hamilton was unable to pit having been too far ahead of the pitlane at the time of the Safety Car being called out. What happened next, stunned everyone, and caused massive controversy. The FIA Race Director, Michael Masi, made the call to have only the five lapped cars in between Sir Lewis and Max go past, and immediately call for the race to resume for one final lap shootout between the title contenders, appearing to be a clear contravention of the safety car rules procedure (Article 48.12). The final commenced, and Max immediately overtook Hamilton on the inside of Turn 5, before holding the Mercedes man off to come home first and claim his maiden F1 title, also resulting in the first non-Mercedes title since the end of the V8 engine era in 2013. Max also broke Michael Schumacher's record for most podiums in a season in the process. On 23rd November 2024, Max claimed a fourth F1 title at the 2024 Las Vegas Grand Prix in Nevada, equaliing the records of Alain Prost and Sebastian Vettel. He is third in the all-time F1 winners list with 62 wins in his career. The model features Max's title-winning Red Bull Racing-Honda RB16B as it raced to victory at the season-ending 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. It is Edition 77 of the 1:43 Max Verstappen Collection from his personal webshop Verstappenshop.nl, and is a limited edition, example 403 of 4000 pieces worldwide. The special version of this model shows Max kneeling on the side of his Red Bull in disbelief of his achievement, as well as having worn Pirelli C5 Soft tyres, which also features a "Next Year I Turn 18" message on the red stripes, in reference to the 18" wheel rims the 2022 F1 cars now use. It also comes with the World Champion 2021 Max on the pitboard shown after the race. The model and lid are both in perfect condition and comes with a cellophane sleeve. This will also come with the model's own box divider for added protection. Thanks for looking :)