Jinx 1; Raikkonen 0!
We’d received the new Minichamps delivery while I was away, which included the latest 1:12 Valentino Rossi replica, his 2001 Honda NSR 500 pre-season test bike (PO16946). It is a limited edition of 9,999 pieces.
Mattel were busy too, releasing their 1:18 replica of the 1960s TV Batmobile (HW7130). Supply is incredibly tight on this one though, so don’t take too long deciding whether to buy it or not or the decision will be made for you!
There was also a new announcement from Mattel, in the form of a new 1:18 Kimi Raikkonen special from this year’s Spanish Grand Prix (DC2801B). It is called ‘The Perfect Race’, which is how Kimi described the event after saying that he had not had a single problem all weekend. Problem is, he hasn’t had a weekend like it since!
It will consist of Raikkonen’s F2008 from the race (complete with ‘hole in the nose’ aero) mounted on a special base with a carbon fibre effect plaque detailing the achievement of pole position, fastest lap, and the win. It will be a limited edition of just 3,333 pieces worldwide.
As for the French Grand Prix, it was a case of ‘could have been better, but also could have been a lot worse!’ I couldn’t believe it when Raikkonen’s exhaust started disintegrating, I can now add that to the list of bizarre stuff that has happened to him at races I have attended; rear wing flying off, last lap suspension failure while leading, rammed by own team-mate, and crashing into a stalled car on the starting grid in front of him! What next, a meteor strike?!
But at least he still managed to finish second; his Ferrari sounded so rough I kept wondering if each lap was going to be his last. The McLarens probably would have had him as well as Massa if they hadn’t had their grid penalties, so I can’t complain too much. I probably still will though!
