Ferrari F1

My first official model for The LEGO Group was this 8674 Ferrari F1, scale 1:8 for the Racers line.

Features

  • – Full independent suspension
  • – V10 engine
  • – Rear wheel drive
  • – Steering
  • – Detachable enginecover and nose

Background

After the succesful 8386 F1 Ferrari 1:10, the Racers team wanted a bigger version, with more features. With all other Technic designers occupied, I was asked to take this freelance project upon me. The model had to be in the same scale as the 8458, a set that to my advantage I had already built. However, apart from some of the mechanics, this new incarnation had to be completely redesigned, with the F2005 as reference. Unfortunately there was no budget to go and check out the real car, nor was there any technical data available at the time, so instead I had to rely on loads of pictures.

Process

As I was quite unfamiliar yet with full studless constructions, it took a bit of time to get used to things, but my skills improved rapidly once I got the hang of it. With an almost unlimited supply of elements, it was now possible to keep track of the development stages, saving copies. It was a lot of fun to just see the model getting better over time, which was a great motivator. It was also encouraging that Ferrari didn’t express any serious concerns about the model’s looks, which is always a challenge when working on a licensed product.

Some might wonder why certain parts of the racer are not white as with the official F2005. The answer is that Ferrari, but particularly The LEGO Group didn’t want to be associated with the tabacco industry, which using white at certain locations could indicate. Of course you can always change colours yourself, which is something I did when you compare this version closely with the official model. There are a few other minor differences as well, but that’s because someone else made some final changes when my 3 months freelance period was over. Due to a satisfying result delivered, and the lack of Technic designers at the time, I was offered a position within the team.

4 thoughts on “Ferrari F1

  1. Rob Packard says:

    Hello Nathanaël,
    I must be your biggest fan because my first LEGO that I built as an adult after the “dark ages” was your 8674. It’s my favorite set! Then I started using Rebrickable.com, and I realized that I have purchased and built 6 of your designs from your alternate builds of the creator expert car sets. They are easily my favorite sets on Rebrickable and I had no idea until now that you worked at LEGO. Any chance you would ever do a 1/8 scale F1 car again? Is there anyway to “incentivize” you? I would love to add anther large F1 car to my collection that is truly unique and special.

    Thank you,
    Rob

    • NKubate says:

      Thanks Rob for taking the time to share your story with me. A kind word like yours is sometimes needed to remind me of the reason why I build stuff: to inspire others. I’m glad to read you enjoy my alternates so much because I spend a lot of time designing them as well as on developing the instructions. Regarding another F1, I will consider designing one if I come up with something unique and special, which is another strong motivator for me to design stuff: to do things differently and innovate.

      • Rob Packard says:

        Thank you so much for replying! You’ve made my day. I’m happy that you continue to design and innovate. Your designs are some of the main reasons I am such a big AFOL and when I build your sets, I relax and enjoy the moment.

        An F1 car designed by you would be incredible. I just finished your GT04 design and every time I finish one of your projects, it’s my new favorite set. LEGO just released the McLaren F1 technic car which I built, but it left something to be desired. I was much more satisfied with the Ferrari F1 car that you designed, and I hope that myself and some of your other fans will motivate you to create a new one. Thank you again.

        • NKubate says:

          This experience that you describe, being able to relax and enjoy the moment is so nice to read! It’s one of these things that most people take for granted and hardly realize or really appreciate only considering the end result, but I spend so much time on this. Sometimes I wish my work would get a bit more exposure and recognition, because I’m really depending on word to mouth. Also glad to read that you like the GT04 design.

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