Hardly any film has been so eagerly awaited in the motorsport community as the new action drama “F1” starring Brad Pitt, which has been filling cinemas since the end of June 2025. Director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer have secured real Formula 1 races and paddocks as backdrops for maximum authenticity, and none other than Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, was significantly involved as producer and technical advisor. Hamilton not only ensured realistic racing scenes, but also inspired key moments in the script and helped capture the details of the sport for the big screen.
In the film, Brad Pitt returns as Sonny Hayes, a former F1 driver, to the track to save a struggling team and support a young driver—a story that plays with real Formula 1 emotions and puts the fascination for technology, passion, and team spirit at the center.
What many of you as model builders and motorsport fans may find particularly interesting: the connection between film, the fascination of Formula 1, and the legendary vehicles that shaped this era. And this is exactly where the McLaren MP4-25 (Revell Shoplink) comes into play—the car that Lewis Hamilton drove in 2010 and which today is a real highlight as a model kit for any showcase.
The Development of the McLaren MP4-25: A Milestone of Engineering
The McLaren MP4-25 was McLaren Racing’s race car for the 2010 season and was driven by world champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button. After Brawn GP was taken over by Mercedes, McLaren built the MP4-25 for the first time as a pure customer team with a Mercedes engine, which marked an important turning point in the team’s history.
The design team around Paddy Lowe, Neil Oatley, Tim Goss, Andrew Bailey, and John Iley relied on radical innovations: the car received a completely new aerodynamic concept, an extended wheelbase, and a significantly larger tank to utilize the new regulations. Particularly striking was the bulky silhouette—the so-called “beer belly”—which was due to the large tank.
Technically, the MP4-25 was a real high-tech product: a monocoque made of carbon fiber, highly developed pushrod suspensions, a 2.4-liter V8 engine from Mercedes-Benz (FO 108X) with up to 18,000 rpm, and a seamless seven-speed gearbox ensured competitive performance. The electronics came from in-house development and controlled not only the chassis but also the engine and telemetry.
Innovations: The Legendary F-Duct System
The most famous technical innovation of the MP4-25 was the F-Duct System. Via a “snorkel” in front of the cockpit, the driver could cover an opening with his left leg and thus direct air through the car to the rear wing. The result: when needed, the downforce on the rear wing was “broken off,” the air resistance reduced, and the top speed on the straights increased by up to 10 km/h.
Red Bull Racing did protest against the system, but the FIA declared it legal as it was not considered a movable aerodynamic part. The F-Duct quickly became the reference and was copied by other teams until it was banned from the following season. For you as model builders, this detail is particularly exciting, as the characteristic “snorkel” is one of the most distinctive parts on the model.
The 2010 Season: Successes and Dramas
The 2010 season was hardly to be surpassed in excitement: three teams fought for the title, five drivers had realistic chances of winning the World Championship. McLaren competed with probably the strongest driver duo since Senna and Prost: Jenson Button, the reigning world champion, and Lewis Hamilton, champion of 2008.
Already at the second race in Australia, Button celebrated the first victory for the MP4-25, followed by a double victory in China. In total, the team achieved five season wins, three by Hamilton and two by Button. Hamilton was in the title fight until the last race, but had to settle for fourth place in the drivers’ standings, also due to a tire failure in Spain that cost him crucial points. In the constructors’ standings, McLaren finished second behind Red Bull.
The MP4-25 was so long that it did not fit into the elevator at the Vodafone headquarters during its presentation, a symbol of the radical design decisions.
Lewis Hamilton: From McLaren Driver to Hollywood Producer
Lewis Hamilton’s career is closely linked to McLaren: in 2008, he became the youngest world champion in history with the team, and in 2010 he fought for the title with the MP4-25 until the end. His technical expertise and commitment to innovations like the F-Duct made him a role model for many young drivers and also for Hollywood.
As a producer of the new F1 film, Hamilton brought his experience directly into the project: he advised Brad Pitt and the production team on technical details, helped select the circuits, and ensured that the film action was as close to reality as possible. Thus, the circle closes: the real F1 star and 7-time record world champion not only shapes the history of Formula 1 but also its portrayal on the big screen.
The McLaren MP4-25 as a Model Kit: Technology and Authenticity in 1:24 Scale
For you as model builders, the McLaren MP4-25 is a real highlight in 1:24 scale. The high-quality kit offers everything your heart desires:
- Precisely designed, multi-part engine with the finest details for maximum authenticity, ideal for recreating the technical interior of the vehicle.
- True-to-original decals: with the included decals, you can design the model for three different Grand Prix of the 2010 season including all sponsor logos and details.
- Detailed cockpit equipment: instruments, controls, and seat are reproduced so that you feel as if you are sitting in the cockpit yourself.
- High-quality workmanship of all components ensures perfect interaction of the individual parts and a harmonious overall picture.
Revell Shoplink 
The kit comprises 103 parts and, with a length of 21.4 cm, a width of 7.6 cm, and a height of 4.8 cm, is a real eye-catcher in any collection. The included multilingual assembly instructions with clear illustrations make assembly easier, while the detailed decals allow for different racing variants. The recommended age is 12 years, the difficulty level is level 4, just right for ambitious model builders.
Conclusion: Motorsport History for the Showcase
Whether you let yourself be inspired by the new Brad Pitt film or simply share the fascination for technology and motorsport: the McLaren MP4-25 is a piece of Formula 1 history that you can bring home. With its innovative F-Duct, the exciting story about Lewis Hamilton, and the detail-loving realization as a model kit, it is the perfect project for all those who not only want to experience motorsport but also want to recreate it. Have fun building, crafting, and dreaming, and maybe you’ll discover one or two details at your next visit to the cinema that remind you of your own MP4-25!
And one small promise to all racing, McLaren, and Formula 1 fans: there’s a little more to come 🙂
