The 2023 FIA Formula 1 World Championship produced one of its most visually striking events on 18 November 2023, when the Las Vegas Grand Prix returned to the modern calendar for the first time. Round 21 of 22 was run entirely under floodlights on a temporary street circuit threading through the Las Vegas Strip, and every car that took the start carries the distinction of being a first-edition participant. Spark Model's 1:43 replica of the AlphaTauri AT04 No. 22 belongs squarely in that category.
The AlphaTauri AT04: Red Bull Technology, Honda Power
Unveiled in February 2023, the AT04 was AlphaTauri's challenger for the full 2023 season. The chassis ran the Honda HRC-badged RBPTH001 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid power unit — the same family of engine developed by Red Bull Racing's technical infrastructure — continuing the Faenza outfit's close technical relationship with its parent team. The AT04 carried the dark navy blue and white livery that had come to define the AlphaTauri brand identity, reflecting the LVMH-owned fashion house's aesthetic across all 22 rounds.
Race No. 22: Tsunoda on the Strip
Yuki Tsunoda carried race number 22 for AlphaTauri throughout 2023. At Las Vegas, a power unit component change triggered a grid penalty, sending him to the back of the field before lights out. He recovered to finish 17th under the Nevada floodlights — a result that understates the visual and historical significance of his participation in what was the inaugural modern Las Vegas Grand Prix. The 2023 season would also prove to be the last under the AlphaTauri name: the team rebranded as Visa Cash App RB for 2024, making every AT04 model the final expression of that identity. Tsunoda's own trajectory continued upward, with a promotion to Red Bull Racing confirmed for 2025.
Spark Model's 1:43 Replica: Resin, Pad Printing, Precision
Spark Model renders the AT04 in resin at 1:43, the scale at which the French manufacturer has built its reputation across decades of single-seater replicas. Livery detail is applied via pad printing, capturing the dark navy and white scheme with the fine line resolution that resin construction at this scale demands. No opening parts are present — standard practice for 1:43 Formula 1 models — keeping the overall form clean and display-ready. The No. 22 race number and AlphaTauri branding are faithfully reproduced.
In the Display Cabinet: Pairing and Collection Context
This model pairs naturally with Spark's 1:43 AT04 No. 40 of Liam Lawson, Tsunoda's teammate at the Las Vegas event, for a complete AlphaTauri two-car Las Vegas entry. Collectors building the full 2023 Las Vegas grid will also look to the Red Bull Racing RB19 from the same round — the sister team running the same Honda HRC power unit. Those tracking Tsunoda's career across seasons will want this alongside the AT03 No. 22 from 2022 and the VCARB 01 No. 22 from 2024, tracing the transition from AlphaTauri to Visa Cash App RB. As the last AT04 livery iteration before the rebrand, the Las Vegas edition carries particular biographical weight in any Tsunoda-focused collection.
Frequently asked questions
What makes the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix significant for collectors?
It was the inaugural running of the Las Vegas Grand Prix on the modern F1 calendar, held on 18 November 2023 on a temporary street circuit through the Las Vegas Strip. Every car from this race is a first-edition participant at the event.
What was Yuki Tsunoda's result at the 2023 Las Vegas GP?
Tsunoda started from the back of the grid following a power unit component change penalty and finished 17th in the race.
Is this the last season under the AlphaTauri name?
Yes. The 2023 season was the final year the team competed as AlphaTauri before rebranding to Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) for 2024, making the AT04 the last car to carry the AlphaTauri identity.
What material is the Spark Model 1:43 AT04 made from?
The model is manufactured in resin, with livery detail applied via pad printing — the standard construction method for Spark's 1:43 Formula 1 range.
