Ferrari F1 1:9 Item #: 8157

[Front]

Here is a quick review of the new Ferrari F1 1:9, 8157.

This is in my opinion a great set, that will look really good on display in all homes of Ferrari and Lego fans. After the Ferrari FXX, #8156, this must be the 2nd Lego set of a Ferrari that is mostly a System build, and not Technic. In size though, it compares well with the earlier Lego F1 sets at scales 1:8 and the older 1:10.

But this is not a technic set (although some parts obviously are Technic), and this means a bit less functionality, but a whole lot of more looks. I really think the set captures the true essence of a Ferrari F1, with all the strange fairing bits found on these cars now a days. The set does not have that "look-through" feeling that some might get, when looking at the Technic-F1 sets, but more looks like a "real" car.

The completed car without stickers. Sorry for not adding the stickers, i'm sure they would have made it look even better. I hope I've got the colours of the car close to the real thing in my pictures, although the red does not look perfect.

On the box there is a picture of what looks like Raikkonen in a F1, and on the back I can see the yellow helmet of Massa. I think this means that this set is of a 2007 F1.

The building instructions are split up in two books, the bags inside the box are numbered (for faster building), and the set contains 997 pieces, all shown in the usual list in the last building-book.

The functionality of the set:

1: the nose of the car can be detached, for faster pit stops after chrashing into barriers at Monaco

2: rear view mirrors can be adjusted.

3: all wheels spin

4: front wheels turn when the steering wheel in front of the driver seat is turned.

5: multiple pieces of "aerodynamic" fairings can be adjusted.

Here is a look at the nose and a wheel detached.

The building of this set is straight foreward, at least in my opinion. You start out with the nose, then make the bottom of the car with plates etc. and then just build more bricks on top (more or less). At no point did the sub-assemblies feel fragile or anything (opposed to the Batman UC set from was it 2006 ?).

The rear of the F1, partly disassemblied.

The rear wing, a rear wheel and the center fairing above the engine is taken off the set.

Here the left hand side of the car is "opened" so that the building structure and the stearing shaft is visible.

The bottom of the car, during my "taking apart" and photographing sequence.

Here I've ended up with a pile of bricks, not sure they all are in the picture though.

Ok, this concluded my quick photoreview of the new F1 1:9 Ferrari.

Now you may ask, was this the first inverse-building review you have seen. And what was the reason for me to do so ?

Well, the answer is that I forgot to take pictures while building. Maybe I haven't spoiled all the fun and surprised that may be had during your own building experience. I look foreward to building this set again, putting stickers on it, and placing it next to my Technic Ferrari's.

cheers

Front

Edited July 8, 2008 by Front

[Siegfried]

Thanks for the odd review! This set, like all Ferrari sets, is on my "sale" list as they are generally over-priced. (I've bought 4 sets that way; most of them half price!) Your photos look better than the box shots!

[adik_sa_lego]

thanks for the upclose review!

does the sticker sheet have the numbers 5 and 6 or is it only the 6 as pictured in the box?

[Front]

Thanks for the odd review! This set, like all Ferrari sets, is on my "sale" list as they are generally over-priced. (I've bought 4 sets that way; most of them half price!) Your photos look better than the box shots!

Thank you Sinner. Yes, licensed sets does seem more expensive pr. brick than usual sets.

I forgot to mention:

1: The set is 525 mm long

2: during my disassembly, no bricks where harmed in any way

Front

thanks for the upclose review!

does the sticker sheet have the numbers 5 and 6 or is it only the 6 as pictured in the box?

Now there a question that indicated I should have added a photo of the stickers (have none right now).

The sitcker sheet has both a big #5 and # 6 sticker. Also it comes with two sets of two smaller stickers (4 stickers in all), for each side of the cockpit, one with name Raikkonen and one with Massa.

I guess that means that the true entusiast will buy two 8157

Front

[adik_sa_lego]

oh no.... must buy two sets.... bye bye annual lego budget. aaaaack! hahahaha

[Front]

Here are just a couple of more pictures.

The F1 in side view.

Here a comparison between the old F1 1:10 (8386) and the new F1 1:9:

Front

[5150 Lego]

great little review! This set is looks even better than i thought. The detail is great! To mad there aren't mmore functions, but thatsnothing a little mocing can't fix!

[BrickMonkeyMOCs]

Thanks for the review, Front. Nice photography too. I have to say that when I first saw pictures of this set I thought it was the ugliest thing I'd ever seen, but it's grown on me a lot. I think the first released pictures didn't really do it justice, and I'm definitely looking forward to getting this set. It's a pity though that there's no engine inside. Do you think there's maybe enough room to add one in there?

Edited July 14, 2008 by SpaceMonkey

[Front]

I don't have the set in front of me right now, but to add an V10 engine like there is in the other Ferrari F1 technic sets, I think there has to be done quite some rebuilding of the rear of the car.

First of all the rear axle for each rear wheel is just a short axle cross axle, so you need to find space for an differentiale and the actual engine. There are many black bricks in the area where the engine should go, but I guess that should be possible to find room for it. But surely it's a major rebuild.

I'm sure some will find a way of adding powerfunction drive and steering to the model. That might be even easier. I think that batteries can be hidden under some bricks on either side of the driver seat.

I'm not sure though I got the skills to do any of these modifications, without using massive amount of time.

Btw. I said the model is sturdy. It's really easy to handle if you grab it at the side, left or right or both sides of the seat. But some of the bricks in front of the air intakes are not securely built, and the rear wing can come of too. But not really that bad.

Front

[BrickMonkeyMOCs]

I was thinking more along the lines of an engine for show (like the 8156 FXX) rather than for functionality like a technic set, but thanks. I've now had a look at the online instruction manual, and it looks like even an internal display engine would require some pretty major rebuilding. How many studs connect that engine cover section to the rest of the model?

[Lt. Col. Thok]

That is an amazing set! Its enormous! Great review.

[PJSKittles]

Iv been indecisive on this set for the longest time, but now that i see live pictures of it, ill probably pick one up soon. And of course I dont have 2 pay full price since I work for lego =D

[adik_sa_lego]

just got this last week. it's huuuge. i don't mind that it doesn't have a "show" engine, problem is if you want to build Felipe Massa's car instead of Kimi's (which is the one on the box), you would need an extra 2x3 red plate, 1x3 red plate, and a 1x1 red cheese slope, so that the color scheme of the top wing would be accurate (located above the cockpit, by default it is black since that's the color for Kimi's car).

[prateek]

Thanks for the odd review! This set, like all Ferrari sets, is on my "sale" list as they are generally over-priced. (I've bought 4 sets that way; most of them half price!) Your photos look better than the box shots!

you lucky person!!! if any ferrari set in canada were half price, i'd buy the whole stock!

anyway if i do find this for less than $50 i'd get it (that will be the most ive spent on lego ever [ive only spent $20])

Edited August 13, 2008 by prateek

[PJSKittles]

i got mine for $45 =D but i wont rub it in haha.

[LEGOMAN132]

That looks cool.

[BrickMonkeyMOCs]

I have this set now and thought I'd post some comparison shots of this model alongside my other Lego Ferrari F1 cars. From biggest to smallest: 8674 Technic 1:8 set; the new 8157 1:9 set; the older 8386 1:10 Technic set; an old custom F1 MOC (built before the Ferrari range began); an alternate custom design using the 8362 set; the regular minifig-scale car used in various Ferrari sets; and the micro-scale car from 8153.

(Click for deeplinks)

Edited September 8, 2008 by SpaceMonkey

[rriggs]

I notice that the set doesn't come with a minifig lawyer for use against McClaren...

Seriously, it's nice to see reviews of these sets that include pictures of the pieces and the model during the contruction (or deconstruction!). The cost of these sets combined with their scale (I won't buy anything not minifig scale) means I will never buy one so it is nice to see some of the techniques and pieces used in the awesome looking sets!

Thanks for the review

Cheers

Rog

[5150 Lego]

I notice that the set doesn't come with a minifig lawyer for use against McClaren...

Cheers

Rog

ew.... Ferrari is making me sick right now! Attually, its not Ferrari, but those stupid stewards!! I really hope Mclaren wins there apeal! FIA should stand for Ferrari Insurance Angency!

Sorry, my rant is over. The set really is good. Regarless of Ferrari getting speacail treatment!

[Front]

I have this set now and thought I'd post some comparison shots of this model alongside my other Lego Ferrari F1 cars. From biggest to smallest: 8674 Technic 1:8 set; the new 8157 1:9 set; the older 8386 1:10 Technic set; an old custom F1 MOC (built before the Ferrari range began); an alternate custom design using the 8362 set; the regular minifig-scale car used in various Ferrari sets; and the micro-scale car from 8153.

(Click for deeplinks)

Thank you Spacemonkey for showing this comparison.

I have only built the 1:10 technic and the new 1:9 system Ferrari, which I showed in the picture on page 1. That 1:8 set is so huge, and fortunately I have it in a box, ready to be built when I find time and lust

In fact I have some more un-opened like # 8144, # 8672 (2x2 small F1's) plus the FXX # 8156 and the Sportscar 599 # 8145. Should be plenty of quality time spent in the coming winter.

.....................

And to the debate about the current F1 season, well I do not watch all races, but when I do see one, I'm all with Ferrari. I can't get over the fact that McLaren nearly won last season, while having "spyed" on Ferrari. They should have been completely excluded from the championship last year, in my opinion.

I am more a MotoGP motorcycle races fan, and have seen maybe all races since '84. I like sports where they overtake each other multiple times each lap

But F1 is facinating none the less.

Front

Edited September 9, 2008 by Front

[fulk]

Very nice and huge set.

I got it too and I'm very proud of it

[Jim]

Hi,

Please read the site guidelines and especially the part about Topic Bumping. You are reviving a 7-8 year old topic, just to say you are proud of having the set. Please be careful when bumping old topic. Only do this when you have useful information to add to the conversation.