Diecast review: Sparky 1:64 scale 2022 Mercedes AMG W13 Lewis Hamilton
With Lewis’ post race disqualification at COTA US Grand Prix last weekend, Mercedes engineers are obviously still trying to master the modern era ground effects F1 chassis.
Last month I posted a short review on Spark’s 1:64 series model of Max’s 2022 Red Bull RB18. For this post, we’ll take a quick look at Spark’s 1:64 rendition of Lewis’ problematic Mercedes AMG W13 from last season.
Like Max’s RB18, this W13 model comes with outer “Sparky” cardboard box and the model encased in a clear perspex display case. The car sits on a sloping plinth and is secured via a twist screw in the underside of the plinth.
Underside of the outer box has the Mercedes AMG authenticity hologram sticker
The model is attached to the base plinth via a plastic twist screw.
2022 was a return to the silver arrows livery for Mercedes and this is very accurately recreated in the Spark 1:64.
Mounted on 4 inch slanted plinth
The fine detailing on the Spark 1:64 Mercedes W13 is instantly visible, probably more so than on the Red Bull RB18 due to the sizing and styling of Mercedes’ sponsor logos.
Despite the level of micro detailing, on closer inspection of the Spark 1:64 models, there are a few small obvious omissions compared to the larger 1:43 and 1:18 scale siblings:
- No radio antenna in the mid-nose section.
- No T-bar camera above the airbox intake roll hoop. It looks kind of sawn off.
- There are no metal floor stays in front of the rear wheels (these provided reinforcement support for the chassis floor)
Although these are very small omissions, collectors should keep these in mind when deciding between the Spark 1:64 vs 1:43 scale F1 models.
Fantastic detailing at 1:64 scale (although if you look carefully, there is no radio antenna)
The Spark 1:64 of Lewis’ W13 has the red striped Pirelli soft compound tyres. The 1:64 of Max’s RB18 has the white Pirelli hard tyres.
Silver arrow livery detailing on the engine cover is intricate. The Mercedes tri-star is visible at different angles.
The T-camera is missing from the top of the roll hoop.
The INEOS and Crowdstrike sponsor logos are microscopic on the halo but are still visible.
The model includes the steering wheel and driver figure. Lewis’ helmet detail is impressive.
Spark 1:64 Red Bull RB18 (top) vs Spark 1:64 Mercedes W13 (bottom).
Mercedes zero sidepod concept is much more noticable when comparing the W13 and RB18 from a top-down view. The slim Coke bottle actually looks fast looking down but the “slumped shoulders” profile is more apparent from front on.
If you’re a collector on a budget, the 1:64 Spark series of 2022 F1 cars is well worth consideration.
