Review: 76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car
Posted by CapnRex101,
Speed Champions revisits Formula 1 every year or two, demonstrating how both these cars and the Speed Champions theme have changed over time. Thankfully, I think the LEGO sets continue to improve and 76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car certainly looks impressive.
The vehicle appears remarkably sleek in official images, benefitting from some new curved slopes and tiles, not to mention creative building techniques. New slick tyres are available here as well, so I believe this has the potential to be the best Formula 1 car LEGO has ever released!
Summary
76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car, 245 pieces.
£20.99 / $26.99 / €26.99 | 8.6p/11.0c/11.0c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Speed Champions continues to delight, with my favourite LEGO Formula 1 car to date
- Realistic and attractive bodywork
- Superb standard of accuracy and detail
- Several printed parts
- New slick tyres
- Many stickers, but unavoidably so
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigure
In contrast with previous minifigures portraying Formula 1 drivers, the McLaren racing overalls have been greatly simplified and lack any sponsors. The result is very bland, although the dark bluish grey and orange colours correspond with the suits worn last season, featuring continuous stripes across the torso and legs.
Furthermore, this driver wears a printed helmet, which is something I have long wanted to see from the Speed Champions range. The McLaren logo is a simple detail, but welcome. I like the trans-blue visor as well. An opaque or reflective visor would be more realistic, but adding a blue tinge improves upon the usual trans-clear visors.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were the two McLaren drivers last season and I think this hair piece more closely resembles Lando. In addition, this piece has only appeared once before in reddish brown, in 21336 The Office. A wrench completes the character, as normal in the Speed Champions theme.
Reference
Source - Formula1.com
The Completed Model
People sometimes discuss sets which, when viewed from a distance, are not easily identifiable as LEGO. The rendition of the McLaren MCL60 undoubtedly occupies that category! Its flowing bodywork is absolutely stunning and I think the orange and black livery, with dark azure accents, looks fantastic as well, not least because black can help to disguise any awkward angles.
I am not sure any such instances are necessary though, as the curved bodywork looks lovely from all angles. Appropriately, this model has very little ground clearance and its size matches other Speed Champions sets, measuring 19cm in length. The proportions of the racing car thus appear extremely realistic.
Formula 1 cars underwent significant design changes between the 2021 and 2022 seasons, so there are sure to be many differences between this model and the example in 76909 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance & Mercedes-AMG Project One. Even so, this comparison reveals the dramatic advancements Speed Champions has made since 2022, taking advantage of new elements introduced.
The updates to the front wing beginning in the 2022 season were particularly obvious, with a cleaner and more sweeping shape. That shape has been replicated accurately for this model, using a pair of new 2x2 curved wedge slopes to superb effect. These are decorated with two of the 32 total stickers, although certain parts are printed, including the 1x1 rounded tile and 1x6 slope forming the nose.
Additionally, the new wheels are printed. These are made from a hard plastic, so the designs should not rub off, as sometimes occurs on rubber elements. The yellow highlights and Pirelli branding looks perfect and I love the tyres' subtle texture, suiting a Formula 1 car. A decorated 2x2 dish is also placed inside each wheel, complete with accurate Google Chrome colours.
Spokes are moulded on the back of each wheel, while bucket handles depict wishbones. The dark bluish grey Technic brick between the wheels is not ideal, but this element has only been produced in two colours and grey is preferable to red. The slope on top displays sponsors from the original vehicle, but intentionally leaves out the racing number.
While the front wing and wheels are wonderful, I am even more impressed with the side pods. These make extensive use of new 1x4 curved wedge slopes and 1x2 angled tiles, comprising beautiful curves on either side. Such reliance on new parts is occasionally criticised, but these elements are in no way specialised and will doubtless appear in many future sets.
The stickered advertisements on the side pods look good, although logos of vape companies are replaced with McLaren branding, understandably. There is ample room to place the driver inside the cockpit and the protective halo around the minifigure looks excellent, using a flexible orange hose. Moreover, I love the mirrors flanking the cockpit, represented by black spoons!
The aforementioned Mercedes made ingenious use of a video game controller for its steering wheel and the same piece is used here. However, the steering wheel is now printed and looks even better than before, displaying various knobs and graphical displays taken from the source material. Also, the numbers are reversible, so you can use this element upside down.
A printed 1x2 tile forms the camera mounting behind the cockpit, while the 2x5 wedge slopes towards the back are also printed. Strangely though, the Google Chrome branding does need stickers. Regardless, the livery remains accurate and the shape of the bodywork is exceptional too, smoothly transitioning from the cockpit to the rear wing.
Both of the 2x5 wedge slopes are attached via clips and an orange ski slots between them, as shown below, with one of the slopes removed. This piece recreates the fin from the original car and shows amazing attention to detail because this feature is relatively subtle. However, I would expect nothing less from Speed Champions!
The rear wing is the only area of the model that is noticeably bulkier than it should be. That is hardly surprising though, as it would be impossible to recreate such thin bodywork at this size, while maintaining stability. Nevertheless, the general shape is authentic and even the tiny DRS actuator is included, portrayed by a black 2L bar with stopper.
I think the car looks marvellous from the back as well, featuring diffusers underneath the rear wing and a trans-red safety light. Furthermore, the wing nestles perfectly between the wheels, so its proportions appear realistic, despite the need for some extra black pieces reinforcing the wing.
Overall
LEGO has produced a huge number of Formula 1 cars over the years and I feel confident in saying that 76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car is the best! The model looks incredible from every angle, featuring an accurate livery and capturing as much detail from the original car as possible. The aerodynamic bodywork looks spectacular too, incorporating a few new parts.
Of course, a large quantity of stickers are included and some are tricky to apply, but there was no way to avoid them, realistically. In addition, many elements are printed. The price of £20.99, $26.99 or €26.99 represents a slight increase on the prices of Speed Champions sets released last year, which is a shame, but this model is definitely worth the price, in my opinion.
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42 comments on this article
I feel this is more accurate than the recently released larger scale model 10330.
CapnRex is réally actually doing everything on Brickset lately. Chapeau!
Excited to see what kind of Google moc show up using those hubcaps.
I’ve already ordered it with the S1 e-tron quattro and can’t wait to build them! The scaling is superb and great to see the positive review here! :)
Official Google Chrome stickers are the highlight here...
Seriously though, the car looks great, but not really what I'm interested in.
It looks fantastic!! I will have to buy two of them, as I did with 76909
I really like having a picture of the source material to look at along with the review. It really helps me understand how accurate this car actually is.
Best official Lego rendition of an F1 car at any scale to date.
And best of all it isn’t a Mercedes, Wolff or Hamilton car.
I know the wheel size isn’t perfect, but I still think this is a fantastic Lego set. Great review!
amazing car design by lego designer! just wow!
It's a great set, but a LEGO set that is not identifiable as LEGO may not necessarily be a feature, but a bug.
Every year I wonder how Speed Champions is going to top themselves and every year they manage to do it. This car just blows the lid off.
So many new parts, amazing!
One more cons which is very loose.
And thus begins the long long wait for this year's sets to start showing up on sale at local stores...
At least the 2023 models are starting to be on sale. Sigh...
Used to always wait a few months for new Speed Champion releases to reduce in price... Sod it. Not when they're this good!
Applying stickers to a printed piece to get maximum decoration coverage. We are through the looking glass here, people (the model is absolutely brilliant though no doubt about that)
It has chrome all over it, but I don't see no chrome parts here :)
Haven't watched Formula 1 in years, but this looks quite good.
I can also appreciate the printed pieces as well as those cool slick tires. At the usual Amazon discount I might actually get one or two of these.
The only letdown would be the bland minifig, but I'm not interested in those anyway, so in the parts bin his pieces will go.
Pretty darn good! Probably as good as it gets at this scale without resorting to highly specialized pieces. Obviously way too many stickers, but for a set like this I can overlook that, an at least the colors seem to match the plastic pretty well. And it's mostly sponsor names, with most of the decoration actually brick built. Stickers on a printed piece, that's a bit weird though. And where are the numbers?
The slicks are great though, even when there obviously should have been two sizes. That said, it doesn't bother me that much here, the bulkiness of the rear end kinda camouflages it. I wonder if we'll get some softs in the future?
The minifig is a disappointment though. Even if they omitted the actual sponsor names, it should have had some more decoration. And to me, this hairpiece looks much more like Piastri. The orange helmet doesn't look like neither Norris nor Piastri's helmet, though we can obviously imagine it being the NBA helmet Norris used in Miami 2022.
And finally another price increase....well, more room for discounts I assume. This is getting a bit out of control. We're getting close to a point where I'd say make it even a bit more expensive but in return go all out on prints instead of stickers.
My only complaint is the lack of 4/81 stickers, but other than that this is a day 1 purchase.
Not sure how advertising stickers actually enhance the model, apart from being how it is in real life.
Wow! Is there anything Tom Cruise can’t do?
Regarding the printed + stickered pieces, the prints continue the vehicle’s color blocking, which is somewhat necessary, while the sticker can be applied or not, depending on if one wants to rep the Google brand. Rather brilliant, if you ask me.
Speed Champions continues to amaze. Great work on a theme that simply forced me to get into it by how well executed it is!
Definitely going to pick this one up, it's cheap, and accurate to the source material.
P.s. any idea when we'll be getting reviews for the March star wars sets?
Well, @R1_Drift will be happy. He's been champion, I mean champing at the bit for reviews of the new Speed Champions sets. I'm happy, too; I already wanted this set, and reading this review has only made me want it more.
@Fatsochillyfries said:
"Definitely going to pick this one up, it's cheap, and accurate to the source material.
P.s. any idea when we'll be getting reviews for the March star wars sets?"
Yes, starting tomorrow with 75387 Boarding the Tantive IV, all being well.
What no @R1_Drift ? Did he give up?
These racers do look cool. But, racing cars aren't for me. Glad there's one less thing to get.
Wonder what it would look like without all the ads? Probably pretty sweet.
@StyleCounselor @TheOtherMike
Thanks for remembering me. I didn't forget this, what with my village disappearing. I just watched the Racing Brick review first. Now its time to pray for the Audi and the leaked NASCAR Camaro. As for the car, it looks so much better than the 2022 AMG F1 model, especially with that ski piece.
@regent8585 said:
"One more cons which is very loose. "
I think that the review box automatically comes pre-filled with 'too many stickers' and/or 'too expensive'. All the reviewer can do is choose one or both.
@StyleCounselor said:
"Wonder what it would look like without all the ads? Probably pretty sweet. "
Nothing like the car it is supposed to be a model of - or F1 cars in general. And, if the lack of sponsors on the minifigure and helmet show, plain (pun intended) wrong.
I'm not sure why this omission wasn't a con.
Including a picture of the actual car in the review not only points up how well the model matches the elegant shape of the original, but also reminds us that the real thing is as slathered with sponsorship logos as the fully stickered Lego version! Well played, Cap'n!
I was grumbling about the price increases in what had always been one of the most affordable themes Lego offers, but having discovered how many pieces are printed in this set, I feel much more forgiving. Top of the wishlist, then--and probably won't stay on it long, since it's about an eighth the price of most of the sets I want!
@R1_Drift said:
" @StyleCounselor @TheOtherMike
Thanks for remembering me.... As for the car, it looks so much better than the 2022 AMG F1 model, especially with that ski piece. "
Always
@ShinyBidoof said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"Wonder what it would look like without all the ads? Probably pretty sweet. "
Nothing like the car it is supposed to be a model of - or F1 cars in general. And, if the lack of sponsors on the minifigure and helmet show, plain (pun intended) wrong.
I'm not sure why this omission wasn't a con.
"
Too true.
I'm not a racing fan (just here for bros (and hopefully, girls), beers, and crashes (is that too NASCAR?).
Nevertheless, of all my predilections, I can try to see beyond the purposeful commercialization to admit that there's a pretty sweet black and orange car underneath it all.
@StyleCounselor said:
"I'm not a racing fan (just here for bros (and hopefully, girls), beers, and crashes (is that too NASCAR?)."
People go to political debates for the same reason they go to car races. They don't care who wins; they just want to see the crashes."
It looks great. If there's one theme that has consistently been at the forefront of our current building system and part creation climate and used it well, it would be Speed Champions.
It feels weird to read it knowing that R1_Drift gave up their soul for this review to be posted, but I'm not going to complain at a soul-transaction free review for me ;)
@TheOtherMike said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I'm not a racing fan (just here for bros (and hopefully, girls), beers, and crashes (is that too NASCAR?)."
People go to political debates for the same reason they go to car races. They don't care who wins; they just want to see the crashes.""
Absolutely correct.
@StyleCounselor said:
" ...crashes (is that too NASCAR?) "
It's just the closed wheel races where crashes are celebrated.
F-series and Indycar: if you so much as touch one other car you could possibly die
Drag racing: dead
vs
Rally racing: Aside from Group B in the 80s it's usually safe (?)
NASCAR: You went into the air for 3 seconds and did 15 flips? minor laceration.
Sprint Cars & Touring cars: idk
I don't have any interest in F1 racing, but I think this looks great. If they make a DHL one, I'll have to pick it up.
As someone mentioned: stickers give one con - you can not use them. I'm waiting for clean version photos but for me the best option will be to not use chrome and dewalt stickers - it will be enough authentic, correct shapes and tidy.
Sadly agree that this is better than 10330 because of flat smooth nose and tires.
I built this before the race on Saturday without applying the stickers. It didn’t look great, seemed incomplete. Ended up applying the stickers today.
If you are on the fence, apply them while building it as applying to the built model was a pain.