The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held on 8 December 2024 at Yas Marina Circuit, was the final round of the FIA Formula One World Championship that year. For Carlos Sainz, race number 55, it was something more: the last time he would take the wheel of a Ferrari in competition, ending a five-season tenure with Scuderia Ferrari that began in 2021. This Looksmart resin model records that precise moment in 1:43.
The Ferrari SF-24: 2024 Formula 1 Challenger
The SF-24 was Scuderia Ferrari's 2024 Formula 1 challenger, developed as an evolution of the SF-23 platform and powered by the Ferrari 066/10 power unit — a 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid combining MGU-H and MGU-K systems for a combined output of approximately 1,000 bhp. Introduced at the team's 2024 pre-season launch, the car carried race number 55 for Carlos Sainz and number 16 for Charles Leclerc throughout the championship. Its livery followed Ferrari's standard 2024 Scuderia Ferrari scheme: predominantly red with black and white trim, carrying Santander, HP, and Ray-Ban branding.
A Podium Farewell at Yas Marina
Sainz had announced his departure from Ferrari in mid-2024 and signed with Williams Racing for the 2025 season, which meant the Abu Dhabi round was always going to carry emotional weight. He answered that occasion with a 2nd-place finish — a result that underlines his consistency and pace even in an emotionally charged final outing. The combination of a podium result and a definitive career milestone gives this particular race entry a significance that transcends any single championship round. Five seasons at Ferrari, 2021–2024, concluded at the top of the rostrum.
Looksmart: Resin Precision at 1:43
Looksmart is an Italian specialist widely regarded among collectors as one of the most accomplished producers of 1:43 resin Formula 1 models. Their small-run replicas are known for meticulous livery accuracy — every sponsor logo, aerodynamic surface and paint demarcation rendered faithfully. This model replicates the SF-24 No. 55 in its exact Abu Dhabi 2024 specification, including the correct red, black and white Scuderia Ferrari livery. The resin construction means the body is a sealed one-piece unit; surface and aerodynamic detail — from the front wing assembly to the rear diffuser — is where the craftsmanship is concentrated.
In the Display Cabinet
At 1:43, the SF-24 presents as a compact but visually rich piece suited to focused Formula 1 collections. It pairs naturally with a Ferrari SF-21 No. 55 from the 2021 Bahrain Grand Prix — Sainz's first Ferrari race — forming a bookend narrative of his complete tenure at Maranello. It also complements a Ferrari SF-24 No. 16 Charles Leclerc Abu Dhabi 2024 model for collectors building a full-race-entry pairing from the same event. The piece belongs equally in a Sainz career collection or a Scuderia Ferrari 2024 season set.
Frequently asked questions
Does the model have opening parts?
No. Like all Looksmart resin Formula 1 models, this is a sealed one-piece body with no opening panels. Detail is concentrated on the exterior aerodynamic surfaces: front wing, sidepod inlets, rear diffuser and the full 2024 Scuderia Ferrari livery with Santander, HP, and Ray-Ban branding accurately applied.
What material is the model made from?
The model is cast in resin, the material of choice for high-detail small-scale Formula 1 replicas. Resin allows Looksmart to capture fine surface detail — wing elements, aerodynamic vanes, livery demarcations — at 1:43 that diecast tooling typically cannot match at this scale.
Why is the 2024 Abu Dhabi race significant for Carlos Sainz?
The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, held on 8 December 2024, was the final race of Sainz's five-season stint at Scuderia Ferrari (2021–2024). He not only completed that farewell but finished 2nd, making it a podium conclusion to his time with the team before joining Williams Racing for 2025.
