If you’re into Formula One and LEGO® Technic, this current wave of F1 cars is kind of wild. We’ve now got four big 1:8 scale builds to choose from: LEGO 42206 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Car, LEGO 42207 Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car, LEGO 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance, and LEGO 42141 McLaren Formula 1 Race Car (retiring soon).
They’re all big, detailed, adult-targeted display models — but they don’t feel identical in person. So instead of just saying “they’re all cool,” let’s talk how they actually differ, which one suits which kind of fan, and why you might want to grab 42141 before it disappears.
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Quick Facts
- 42206: Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 F1 Car – Technic 18+, 1,639 pieces, MSRP $229.99, released 2025
- 42207: Ferrari SF-24 F1 Car – Technic 18+, 1,361 pieces, MSRP $229.99, released 2025
- 42171: Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance – Technic 18+, 1,643 pieces, MSRP $219.99, released 2024
- 42141: McLaren Formula 1 Race Car – Technic 18+, 1,432 pieces, MSRP $199.99, released 2022 (retiring soon)
What’s in the Box & Build Flow
All four sets follow a similar recipe: a big 1:8 scale chassis, lots of Technic panels, and that magical point where the car suddenly “snaps” into looking like the real thing.
- 42206 Red Bull RB20 – A dense, long build with a big focus on the gearbox, suspension and smooth dark-blue bodywork. It feels like an event set.
- 42207 Ferrari SF-24 – Similar scale, but with its own rhythm. There’s a lot of satisfaction in the way the nose, front wing and red bodywork come together.
- 42171 Mercedes W14 – Slightly more “classic” Technic in feel, with plenty of variety around the suspension and engine area. Feels chunky but not overdone.
- 42141 McLaren F1 – The earliest of the four, a bit more straightforward structurally but still a serious build that sets the tone for the whole Technic F1 line.
If you enjoy multi-evening builds with a lot of steps and that moment where the gearbox looks like a tiny mechanical sculpture, any of these will make you happy.
Techniques & Details
42206 – Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20
- 2-speed gearbox with differential
- Front and rear suspension
- Working steering from cockpit and roof
- V6 engine with moving pistons and MGU-H detail
- New printed tires and an adjustable DRS-style rear wing
The dark-blue and red livery looks great in Technic parts, and the printed tires are a big quality upgrade compared to older F1 sets.
42207 – Ferrari SF-24
- Steering and suspension
- 2-speed gearbox and V6 engine
- Printed tires
- Adjustable rear wing to mimic DRS
Where the Red Bull feels sharp and technical, the Ferrari reads as sleek and sculpted. On a shelf, the red bodywork and nose shape make it instantly recognizable as a Ferrari.
42171 – Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance
- Front and rear suspension
- Steering and differential
- Detailed 6-cylinder engine
- Opening rear wing inspired by real-world DRS
The W14’s black, silver and teal color scheme gives it a very modern, technical look, and the mechanical layout is satisfying to build and to show off.
42141 – McLaren Formula 1 Race Car (Retiring Soon)
- V6 engine with moving pistons
- Working steering
- Suspension and differential
- Large sticker sheet for sponsor logos
You can tell this was the first of the modern Technic F1 wave: more reliance on stickers and a slightly simpler internal structure. Once it’s built, though, the papaya orange and blue livery looks fantastic.
Display & Play Value
These are very much 18+ display models but still have enough functions to feel interactive.
- Display presence: Red Bull and Ferrari are the bold, headline-grabbers; Mercedes feels very modern and technical; McLaren stands out with that papaya orange.
- Play factor: All four have steering, suspension and working engines, so you can roll them, test the suspension and watch the pistons move. The 2025 cars feel a touch more refined in how the gearbox and DRS operate.
They’re the kind of models you’ll mostly display, but you’ll absolutely find yourself rolling them back and forth on your desk from time to time.
Head-to-Head: Which F1 Car Fits Which Fan?
🔵 42206 – Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20
Best for: Red Bull fans, builders who want the newest tech and printed elements, and anyone who loves dark-blue Technic builds. It feels like the current flagship: modern, loaded with functions and impressive on a shelf.
🔴 42207 – Ferrari SF-24
Best for: Hardcore Ferrari tifosi and anyone who wants their F1 model to scream “Ferrari” from across the room. It’s a perfect statement piece for a Ferrari-themed shelf.
🟡 42141 – McLaren Formula 1 Race Car (Retiring Soon)
Best for: McLaren fans and collectors who don’t want to miss a retiring set. This is the start of the modern Technic F1 run, and with retirement looming it’s very much a “get it now or pay more later” situation.
🟢 42171 – Mercedes-AMG F1 W14
Best for: Mercedes/Hamilton/Russell fans, and builders who like a more technical black/silver/teal look. It rounds out the lineup nicely and looks fantastic next to any of the others.
Who This Lineup Is For
- F1 superfans who want their favorite team represented in brick form
- Technic builders looking for a big, satisfying project
- Display collectors building a full F1 shelf
- Investors eyeing 42141 as a near-term retirement play
For kids who are new to Technic, I’d start with something smaller. These are more “evening project with a race replay on in the background” sets.
Pros & Cons (Across All Four)
Pros
- All four are large, impressive display models
- Proper Technic functions: steering, suspension, engines and gearboxes
- Official F1 team liveries and licenses
- Look fantastic displayed together as a mini F1 grid
- Newer sets benefit from printed tires and refined details
Cons
- High price tags across the board
- Big footprint – you’ll need real shelf space
- Lots of stickers, especially on 42141
- Builds are long and fairly complex; not ideal for impatient builders
Final Thoughts
If you’re only getting one F1 Technic car, I’d pick based on team loyalty first and budget second. Love Red Bull? Grab 42206. Bleed red? 42207 is the obvious choice. Mercedes household? 42171 will make you smile every time you walk past the shelf.
If you’re thinking long-term, my honest plan would be to secure 42141 McLaren while it’s still around, then slowly add 42206 or 42207 depending on your favourite team, and round it out with the W14 if you want the full grid.
Buy Now
If you’re tempted to add one (or more) of these to your home paddock, here are quick links:
