The 1:18 scale model by GP Replicas documents a precise moment in Formula 1 history: round 4 of the 1996 FIA World Championship at Circuit de Catalunya, where Michael Schumacher put Ferrari back on the top step of the podium in heavy rain. It was not a close-run victory — he qualified on pole and led every one of the 65 laps. Jean Alesi and Jean-Christophe Boullion completed the podium, but the story of the day was Ferrari's return to winning form.
The Ferrari F310 — A New Technical Order at Maranello
The F310 was the first Ferrari Formula 1 car shaped by the Schumacher–Ross Brawn–Rory Byrne technical triumvirate. It featured a distinctive high nose profile and a semi-automatic 7-speed gearbox, powered by the Ferrari Tipo 044/1 naturally aspirated V10. The F310 carried race numbers 1 and 2, with Schumacher bearing the champion's number in his first Ferrari season.
Barcelona, 2 June 1996 — Ferrari's First Win of the Schumacher Era
Schumacher arrived at Circuit de Catalunya as reigning World Champion, having taken the title with Benetton in 1995. The 1996 Spanish Grand Prix was round 4 of the season, and it delivered Ferrari's first victory of the year in heavy rain. Starting from pole, Schumacher converted immediately and was never headed across the full 65-lap distance. The Scuderia red livery ran with Shell sponsorship, number 1 prominent on the nose — a combination that has since become one of the most recognisable liveries in the sport's modern history.
GP Replicas and 1:18 Formula 1 Models
GP Replicas is an Italian specialist producer focused exclusively on high-detail Formula 1 models at 1:18. The production process allows the manufacturer to reproduce the complex aerodynamic surfaces of a 1990s Formula 1 car with high fidelity. Fine wing edges, sidepod geometry and livery graphic placement are all rendered with care. This Ferrari F310 No. 1 is built to that standard, making it a considered choice for collectors who prioritise surface accuracy.
In the Display Cabinet
The model is a striking piece for a dedicated single-seater shelf or a themed 1996 season grouping. It pairs naturally with other key cars from Schumacher's Ferrari chapter: the F310B from 1997, the F300, or the championship-winning machines of 2000–2004. It also works as a counterpoint to Schumacher's 1995 Benetton B195, marking the transition between two defining phases of his career. The Scuderia red livery reads clearly at this scale and holds well under display lighting.
