1/43 Minichamps Benetton B186
Gerhard Berger

I guess this was one of the diecasts that really got me to start collecting Formula One diecasts. It may sound weird but I really love the livery of this car.
The detail is nice. The drivers uniform is detailed, along with the wheels.
Minichamps, I think, will release a 2nd version of this car soon as I heard that it is now in their pipeline. This car is a must for all Gerhard berger fans as this is a replica of the car that he used to win his first gp in Mexico.




For 1986 Gerhard Berger switched to the emergent Benetton-BMW team and really began to mature, displaying considerable flair and expertise. After leading his home Grand Prix commandingly at the Oesterreichring, only to be thwarted by battery problems, his great day finally came when he won in Mexico City. In searing heat, he judged the situation superbly, profiting from a non- stop run on his Pirelli rubber when his Goodyear- shod rivals were obliged to stop for fresh tyres on two and even three occasions.

Bird Nose

Minichamps 1/43 Benetton B190
Nelson Piquet

Nelson Piquet is one of my favorite drivers. Though I did not follow Formula One during the 80's, Nelson Piquet was a familiar driver to me since I have a few Formula One books that has some pictures of him.
This car which was made by Minichamps, is a replica of the car the Piquet used during the twilight of his career.
I like how the car looks like with its bird-like nose and I think, is one of the unique F1 cars of the 1990's. I would recommend this diecast to Piquet fans (or Benetton fans). It's really a great piece! By getting this car, you would notice that the quality of Minichamps on F1 cars has gone a long way since the early 90's.




In 1988 and 1989 his career stagnated and it was not until he moved to Benetton in 1990 that he enjoyed a revival of fortune. He ended the year with two unlikely victories and in 1991 added another win in Canada when his old rival Mansell went out on the last lap when he allowed the revs to sink too low while waving to the crowd.
At the Italian Grand Prix Benetton hired Michael Schumacher to be Piquet's team-mate. Nelson struggled and at the end of the year found himself with no sensible offers for 1992.

He headed off to the United States but a huge accident in practice for the Indianapolis 500 left him with very serious leg injuries and Nelson retired to Brazil where he has been developing a string of different business interests. He is involved in promoting racing in Brazil and is now overseeing the career of his son Nelson Jr.