Built using original CAD designs and paint codes supplied by Scuderia Ferrari
This very small edition of ‘super detailed’ models was commissioned in early 2001 by Ferrari President Luca di Montezemolo. The models were specially built in our former Bristol workshop by a very small team of craftspeople, at that time led by Leo Copeman. Although the original name plate on the model mentions an edition of 199, in fact only 30 were ever made. This model is one of seven that were damaged by Ferrari back in the day, that have been fully restored to their original condition by the artisans in our new Bristol workshop.
The car that delivered a first FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship to Maranello in twenty-one years, the Ferrari F1-2000 holds a special place in the heart of all Tifosi. 2000 was a record-breaking year for Ferrari in many ways but, most significantly, signified the start of the team’s famed golden era. Driven by Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello, who replaced the outgoing Eddie Irvine, the F1-2000 earned 10 victories and 170 points in a single season, a feat Ferrari had never achieved before despite all of their previous successes.
The car was a direct development of the previous year’s F399 that secured Ferrari their first Constructor’s Championship for sixteen years, still featuring a high nosecone and a single keel front suspension. However, the F1-2000 received some significant upgrades over its predecessor, particularly with its front-end aerodynamics. The car’s shape spoke volumes about the enormous amount of research that had gone into improving the lines and the surfaces to make it more efficient. Ferrari’s engineers also put in a lot of effort to lower the car's centre of gravity, even relocating the brake callipers to the bottom of the disc rather than being positioned vertically halfway up the brake disc. Most progress was made with the redesign of the Tipo 049 engine, as the cylinder bank angle was widened to 90°, resulting in a lower centre of gravity and increased stiffness as well as a better firing balance and more power.
The 2000 season proved an emotional rollercoaster for the Tifosi, up against a very strong McLaren team with Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard as drivers. A wonderful start saw Schumacher take three straight victories in Australia, Brazil and San Marino, following up with a further podium in Britain and a points finish in Spain. Further victories followed at the Nürburgring and in Canada, sandwiched around a disappointing retirement in Monaco after an exhaust issue. Barichello, meanwhile, was performing well during this time, scoring multiple podiums and consistent points, helping the team to 1-2 victories in Melbourne and Montreal.
July was disastrous for Schumacher, however, retiring in three consecutive races in France, Austria and Germany. However, Barrichello saved his team's face with two podiums and his first Formula 1 success at the end of a thrilling wet race in Hockenheim. Schumacher returned to form, claiming second place in both Hungary and Belgium, but Häkkinen claimed both victories, giving the advantage to McLaren in both Championships with just four races remaining. Next up was Ferrari’s home race in Italian Grand Prix at Monza, which marked the start of an extraordinary run for Schumacher: four consecutive poles and four straight wins to seal his third World Drivers' Championship, and Ferrari’s first in two decades, in Japan with one race still to go. Ferrari crowned a brilliant season with the Constructors’ title at the final race in Malaysia, Barrichello fittingly rounding off the podium after a fantastic contribution to the team in his first season.
Overall, the Ferrari F1-2000 earned ten victories, eleven further podiums, ten pole positions and five fastest laps, scoring 170 points and securing both the World Drivers’ Championship and World Constructors’ Championship.
Each fine 1:8 scale ‘Super Detailed’ model of the Ferrari F1-2000 has been methodically restored to its original condition, as first delivered to Ferrari in 2001, by our small team of artisans in Bristol. The model’s nosecone is removeable and the the engine cover is made of genuine carbon fibre and can be removed to reveal the detailed 049 engine and gearbox within. This edition is a genuine period piece, beautifully crafted by Amalgam’s team of craftspeople over 20 years ago.