Review: 30734 Mini F1 ACADEMY Car
Posted by CapnRex101,
Polybags, or now paper bags in certain regions, have been part of the Speed Champions theme since 2020. Though obviously overshadowed by the minifigure-scale sets, these small cars have been surprisingly fun.
However, I am less convinced by 30734 Mini F1 ACADEMY Car, coming so soon after the similar 30683 McLaren Formula 1 Car. On the other hand, this model includes an extraordinary number of unique pieces for such a tiny car.
Summary
30734 Mini F1 ACADEMY Car, 58 pieces.
This is a decent model, but other Speed Champions polybags are much better
- Eye-catching colour scheme
- Good shaping, for the scale
- Strange choice for a mini model
- Quite similar to the 2024 polybag
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
The Completed Model
F1 Academy is a Formula 4-level racing championship featuring female drivers. The series was represented in 71049 F1 Race Cars last year and this model uses similar colours, based on the generic F1 Academy livery. I would prefer a more recognisable team livery, although the medium azure, lavender and magenta colours are distinctive, at least.
While the overall shape is reasonable, I wish it had captured the abrupt change in the angle of the nose. This curved slope does not look right for the Tatuus F4-T421. The cockpit is splendid though, with a Moon Knight blade for the halo and a 1x1 dome for the driver's helmet, both with new colours for those elements.
Six stickers decorate the car, which is evidently quite a lot, considering its size. However, I like the lavender stripes on the nose and side pods. The stripes are partially brick-built towards the back and I appreciate the attempt to do that, even on a small iteration of the vehicle. In addition, the 1x4 slope behind the cockpit is new in medium azure.
A new wheel element was introduced in 71049 F1 Race Cars, similar to the typical small wheel hub, but with different textures to accommodate printing. This piece appears without decoration here, which is welcome because I think the smooth side has interesting potential uses beyond a wheel.
The shape of the rear wing is fairly accurate and includes a decorated 1x1 tile attached to the back, re-used from the minifigure-scale Speed Champions F1 cars released in 2025. The rear wing should be thinner, but I think its proportions are fine at this scale.
Overall
30734 Mini F1 ACADEMY Car is a good model, though underwhelming relative to some of the other Speed Champions polybags we have seen. There are some nice details, but selecting a distinctive car is essential for a small set and the F1 Academy car is not the best choice, in my opinion.
This set is currently available as a free item with many Formula 1-themed sets on LEGO.com, although it seems to be out of stock already in some European countries, unfortunately.
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19 comments on this article
Still a shame they don't use the pullback base from the old Shell polybags for sets like this....
As for this one, don't particularly care for this livery, and honestly surprised they didn't go for the livery of the car that they are actually sponsoring instead. But still, I do like polybags, so if I would find it in a shop, I'd probably still buy it.
I mean, it’s a little car; it’s hard to muster any strong feelings in any direction on this one.
A polybag with stickers? I can't remember ever seeing that, and I couldn't construct a query based on whether a set has stickers. Have there been many polybag sets with stickers? I would imagine the sticker sheet has a higher likelihood of getting bent or damaged compared to boxed sets.
It might not be the most recognisable livery but the colour scheme is a delight and if they’re going to do F1 kits in the recruitment bags I’d much rather the Academy or the new Lego car itself than anything else. Admittedly, I’m in it for the enjoyment of building them rather than the fandom.
That being said we’ve had two cars with Formula 1 written on them now and I think that’s quite enough given how few Speed Champions recruitment bags they make. Hoping the next one is something with a very different shape. (And hopefully no small stickers on big curves, because convincing the black and red Ferrari sticker on non-F1 kit 30709 to stay stuck has been A Trial.)
@ricecake said:
"A polybag with stickers? I can't remember ever seeing that, and I couldn't construct a query based on whether a set has stickers. Have there been many polybag sets with stickers? I would imagine the sticker sheet has a higher likelihood of getting bent or damaged compared to boxed sets."
All of the previous Speed Champion recruitment bags have also had stickers, and there’s also the odd outlier like 40178 as well. But aside from Speed Champions it’s quite rare, yes.
Quite the colorful combination.
Very pleased to get this as a freebie. Much better than hunting around for somewhere that stocked it, or paying probably double the RRP from Amazon. Good that it wasn't specifically linked to 77258 F1 ACADEMY LEGO Race Car which I already had.
@sjr60 said:
"Very pleased to get this as a freebie. Much better than hunting around for somewhere that stocked it, or paying probably double the RRP from Amazon."
Brickabrac dot co dot uk hasn’t had stock in for this kit yet, but thus far they’ve had every new recruitment bag eventually and the 3-for-a-tenner offer is alright so if there’s another 2025/2026 kit you’re interested in they’re worth a look. Usually cheaper than trying to get them off Amazon or eBay if you don’t manage an order on Lego in the right window. Much nicer when you can get them for free of course so gratz on getting this one!
@ricecake said:
"A polybag with stickers? I can't remember ever seeing that, and I couldn't construct a query based on whether a set has stickers. Have there been many polybag sets with stickers? I would imagine the sticker sheet has a higher likelihood of getting bent or damaged compared to boxed sets."
The thing that got me out of my dark ages were the Shell polybags, and most of those had a load of stickers (which I never applied). But also looking at more recent ones I have, both 30709 and 30433 had stickers.
@ricecake said:
"A polybag with stickers? I can't remember ever seeing that, and I couldn't construct a query based on whether a set has stickers. Have there been many polybag sets with stickers? I would imagine the sticker sheet has a higher likelihood of getting bent or damaged compared to boxed sets."
Many polybags have had stickers as mentioned by other commenters too, not exclusive to Speed Chapmions either, the Volvo loader comes to mind from the Technic line.
The sticker sheet for such small sets is tiny, so it's pretty safe, but even then they're always inside a tiny cardstock box that protects them from folding. LEGO thought this through quite well apparently!
I realize this review didn't likely take up much time, but there are so many other long pending sets with more than 58 pieces that could use one of our nice Brickset reviews. :o)
Some older ones that immediately jump to mind would be 21063 Neuschwanstein Castle, 21365 Love Birds, 10365 Captain Jack Sparrow's Pirate Ship, 76457 Hogsmeade Village - Collectors' Edition, etc.
Funnily enough I built this set not even half an hour ago, I got mine free from LEGO.com alongside the minifig scale F1A car.
I disagree with it being a strange choice for a mini model, I think given the partnership between LEGO and F1 Academy it makes perfect sense. Does it suffer from some inaccuracies due to scale? Yes, but it's not really an issue. It was just a fun little 5-10 minute build.
Ahem.......I won't be getting this car as the wheels look to be all the same size - front and back! :o)
2026, the Year of the Dead Horse.
Since I already have 30683 and 71049-1, I'm not going to going out of my way to get this, but if I see it in Walmart later, I might pick it up. I don't have any of those dome pieces and getting the Moon Knight weapon in a new color would be nice.
F1 Accademi is not exactly the car I desired, but finally a companion for the 30683 , yeah!. I was looking forward for such a model.
These models are are much better than collectable F1 cars at the same price. Surely I'll buy it.
As someone who thinks F1 is Conceptually Interesting but doesn't pay enough attention in practice to know anything about the teams, I like this color scheme.
@Loerwyn said:
"Funnily enough I built this set not even half an hour ago, I got mine free from LEGO.com alongside the minifig scale F1A car.
I disagree with it being a strange choice for a mini model, I think given the partnership between LEGO and F1 Academy it makes perfect sense. Does it suffer from some inaccuracies due to scale? Yes, but it's not really an issue. It was just a fun little 5-10 minute build."
Given that the main reason TLG is even sponsoring an F4 team is likely to push interest in the F4 league in general, I also think the choice of livery makes at least as much sense as doing their own sponsored car.
Screw it, just ordered 77243 (and 60485 to hit the free shipping threshold) to go ahead and get this.
yeah, trans colours :D