Enormous Red Bull RB18 model unveiled by Amalgam Collection
Bristol, UK, September 26, 2023 -- The car that returned the World Constructors’ Championship to Milton Keynes after an eight-year absence, the Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 will be forever remembered as the car that dominated the first year of the new aerodynamics era in Formula 1. Alongside their reference level replicas at 1:8, the world’s leading automotive model creators at Amalgam Collection have now revealed the first photographs of their enormous ‘flagship’ 1:4 scale model of the RB18.
Photo courtesy Amalgam.
Based on Max Verstappen’s victorious outing in the Formula 1 Heineken Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort on the 4th of September 2022, each 1:4 scale replica measures in excess of 1.04 metres (41 inches) long, and precisely captures every aspect of the car’s complex aerodynamics alongside its distinctive blue, red and yellow Red Bull livery. Only eighteen handcrafted 1:4 scale models bearing the number 1 will be built, so every client and collector can be assured of exclusivity in their purchase, several of which have already been pre-sold to devoted followers of the Dutch World Champion. Amalgam are now accepting orders on the remaining models left in the edition. Models of Verstappen’s teammate Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez can be built to order.
Photo courtesy Amalgam.
The colossal edition of models has been developed primarily to meet the requirements of the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 Team, along with their official partners and sponsors, and necessitated over 4500 hours of development. Working from CAD data supplied directly by the Oracle Red Bull Racing Formula 1 team, Amalgam’s engineers developed a pattern for each component of the model, utilising the team’s data to ensure that the details were accurately reflected at a quarter of the real car size. The master patterns were created for each piece of the complex assembly using 3D printing, followed by meticulous hand finishing. Moulds were then taken from each pattern and used to create a small batch of cast components, each one fettled and fitted to make a complete set, before painting, finishing and assembly. The resulting prototype only received the approval of the Oracle Red Bull Racing designers and engineers once they were fully satisfied with its accuracy of representation. Each subsequent model takes over 450 hours to cast, fit, fettle, paint and assemble in one of Amalgam’s global workshops, as teams of artisans focus on ensuring that every minute detail was accurately depicted on every model.
Photo courtesy Amalgam.
Previous collaborations between Oracle Red Bull Racing and Amalgam Collection have centred around major achievements in the team’s eighteen-year history. Sandy Copeman, Brand Director at Amalgam, said “We have collaborated closely with Oracle Red Bull Racing for over fifteen years now, first building models of the RB3 cars driven by David Coulthard and Mark Webber, before moving onto the four double Championship-winning cars of Sebastian Vettel. We are relishing the opportunity to celebrate the latest success of a team that continues to warrant its place at the front of the grid, along with a driver who looks well set to continue making Formula 1 history.”
Photo courtesy Amalgam.
The RB18 proved to be a masterful response to a set of radically new aerodynamic regulations for the 2022 season. Despite its dominance, it did not start the year as the fastest car and had to be developed over the course of the season to unleash its full potential. The RB18’s designers developed many unconventional but ultimately pioneering components, many of which that were later replicated by their rivals, the ultimate compliment to the engineers’ ingenuity. The RB18 swiftly became one of the most successful cars in the sport’s history, winning seventeen of the twenty-two races, fifteen with reigning World Champion Verstappen and two in the hands of Pérez.
Photo courtesy Amalgam.
The 1:4 scale headlines a growing collection of models in Amalgam’s RB18 Collection. Models of the double championship race-winning machine are also available at 1:8, a full-size replica steering wheel, and miniature replicas of the car's nosecone and steering wheel at 1:12 scale and 1:4 scale respectively. The first batches of models at 1:8 scale have already been delivered to customers, including team principal Christian Horner. Limited to 99 pieces per driver, this edition necessitated over 2500 hours to develop the prototype, and each subsequent model requires 250 hours of complete build time. Every miniature nosecone replica is handcrafted from precisely engineered parts by small teams of craftspeople across Amalgam’s global workshops.
The full-size replica steering wheel is limited to just 175 pieces and is an exact reproduction of the one used by the drivers, featuring working buttons, switches and paddles. The nosecone measures 16cm (6 inches) wide, took over 500 hours to develop and is removable from its mounting, inspired by the real pit lane garage storage racks. The miniature steering wheel at 1:4 scale required a further 450 hours to develop and is made from precisely engineered parts. Every model built by Amalgam is presented on an acrylic base witsh a clear dust cover and comes with a certificate of authenticity.
The full Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 Collection can be found at www.amalgamcollection.com.
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About Amalgam Collection:
Amalgam Collection fashions peerless examples of the world’s most famous and coveted cars at scale. Originally founded in 1985, Amalgam focused on creating fine architectural models for the leading British and German architects of the day, particularly Foster & Partners. It also offered product prototyping services, notably creating parts for the very first Dyson vacuum cleaners. Amalgam has been creating fine model cars since 1995 when it has developed strong and lasting relationships with the world’s most important manufacturers and motorsport teams.
Amalgam models are made using the finest quality casting resins. CAD design, 3D printing and CNC machining are combined with traditional machining and hand working techniques to create the world’s most precise, accurate and faithfully detailed models. It can take over 4000 hours to develop a 1:8 scale prototype. Amalgam adopts a no expense spared policy in producing its models, continually striving to reach new levels of craftsmanship, and to create masterpieces of model-making art with enduring value.