Diecast review: Tarmac Works 1:64 scale Mercedes AMG W12 Lewis Hamilton (2021 British GP) and Valtteri Bottas (2021 Turkish GP)

Fresh from the release of their 1:64 scale Mercedes AMG W11’s which I reviewed in April, Tarmac Works have followed up with 1:64 scale models of the 2021 Mercedes AMG W12 with Lewis Hamilton’s 2021 British GP winning car and Valtteri’s 2021 Turkish GP winning car, as part of their Global 64 series collection. The team at Tarmac Works have again kindly sent me samples of these models to review.

F1 fans will remember the 2021 British GP being infamous for Lewis and Max’s high speed clash at Copse with Max DNF’ing with a big spin off and shunt into the barriers and Lewis continuing on to take victory from an opportunistic Charles Leclerc. The 2021 Turkish GP was Valtteri’s last F1 win with Mercedes where he out raced both Red Bulls and Lewis in the changing wet conditions.

As mentioned in my previous review, Tarmac Works have partnered with IXO to produce the W12 and the detailing is excellent for such a small scale. For this review, it’s probably easier to compare these new W12 models with the W11’s but do check out my previous review first which highlights some of the specific model detailing of these IXO/Tarmac Works 1:64 models.

Both W12 models are boxed in a slightly different white/turquoise colour scheme from the W11 boxes.

The boxes for Lewis’ W11 (bottom) and W12 (top). Notice the difference in the driver number font in the W12.

These W12 models are packaged in the same way as Tarmac Works’ W11 models, with the race car seated in an inner plastic clamshell mould with the P1 winner parc ferme stand underneath.

Valtteri’s 2021 Turkish GP winning W12

For the W12 models, the P1 stand is the BWT sponsored pink which was used during 2021 season.

Closer up..

The obvious difference with W12 models is probably Valtteri’s car which has the green Pirelli inter tyres, which he used excellently during the race.

Tarmac Works 1:64 Lewis Hamilton Mercedes W11 (top) and W12 (bottom)

Comparing Lewis’ W11 to the W12, there are obvious differences in the W12’s livery on the rear body work (which is also aero shaped differently). The W12 model has the white Pirelli hard compound tyres and like the W11 model, the W12 model has rotating wheels.

Valtteri’s W11 (top) and W12 (bottom)

Aside from the intermediate tyres on the W12 1:64 model, the main visible difference between Valtteri’s W11 and the W12 models is the more raw black livery with updated INEOS and Petronas sponsor logos.

At the time of posting, both W12 models retail for $17.90 but are currently sold out on the Tarmac Works website. The W11 models are also sold out, as these are obviously popular with Mercedes F1 fans – which is not surprising for this price point.

So if you’re interested to add these models to your diecast collection, you’ll need to search for these new Tarmac Works 1:64 models from your local hobby retailer or online.