Auto Pics

In 1990, Alain Prost replaced Gerhard Berger to join Nigel Mansell at Ferrari. Prost and Mansell were supposed to be of equal status within the team, but Prost quickly made himself the favourite among the mechanics and engineers as he spoke Italian, unlike Mansell. Prost also outdrove Mansell all season, with the exception of the Portuguese GP which Mansell won (his only win in 1990). Mansell became demoralised as Prost's team-mate and declared he was going to retire at the end of the season. However, he changed his mind and rejoined Williams in 1991, and won the World Championship in the Williams FW14B in 1992.

In this car, Prost came close to giving Ferrari its first drivers championship since Jody Scheckter in 1979. He was neck and neck with Ayrton Senna going into the Japanese GP, and made a great start (he needed to beat Senna to keep his championship hopes alive). Senna decided to knock him off the track at the first corner, and in doing so won the championship. It was a terrible thing for him to do, but he got away with it to the disgust of many. Mansell however in the car this model represents, pulled off what I consider to be one of the best overtaking maneuvers ever in modern Formula One to take 2nd place from Gerhard Berger (now in a McLaren) on the penultimate lap of the Mexican GP. Prost won the race comfortably from Mansell, but Mansell was really the man of the race! He was in 2nd place until Berger managed to get by him in the closing laps. Mansell decided to get the place back, and went around the outside of Bergers car on the 180 degree Parabolica corner at phenomenal speed. Berger couldn't believe it! Mexico is no longer on the GP race calender, and as a result we don't get to see this fantastic corner anymore (basically a flat out 180 degree bend).

Exoto make this stunning model of Mansells Ferrari 641, and it is an amazing precision replica of this great looking F1 car. There was some confusion about the proper name of this car when Exoto introduced it, as they were calling it the 641/2. The facts are that this car (the 1990 season car) is the 641, while the 642 was the car used in the 1991 season. Mansell and Berger used the 640 in 1989, which was the precursor to this version. Simple really!

Details abound on this model, including removable bodywork revealing a highly detailed carbonfibre tub and a 3.5 litre Ferrari V12. The cars suspension is accurately replicated, and the engine has all 12 plug wires and exhaust manifolds just like the real thing. The fuel tank sits behind the driver in the centre of the car (both for safety reasons and so as to least upset the centre of gravity of the car as it empties) and the drivers compartment itself has realistic seatbelts, instruments and a suede effect steering wheel.

Despite all this fine detail, it is not a perfect model (if such a thing exists!). There are two reasons for this. Firstly, I find the engine air funnel does not sit very well on top of the engine (it sits very slightly proud of it-hence the upper bodywork doesn't sit quite right). It is hardly noticeable and a very minor fault, but a fault nonetheless. Secondly, the "Eagle eyed" among you may have already noticed that the tires have "Eagle" spelt as "Eagel" on them! This model was the first in the series of the 641-642 Ferraris that Exoto plan to release , and the incorrect spelling on the tires is unique to this first release (it has since been corrected). Again, a minor fault, and some might say it could give it a higher value in the future as an "error car"! Personally I'd prefer the spelling to be correct, so it looses marks as a result.

Of course the above criticisms are indeed nitpicking, and this 1:18th is a beautiful replica of a beautiful Ferrari.