1:18 HOT WHEELS Ferrari 248 F1 2006 #5 MICHAEL SCHUMACHER J2980 Marlboro

The product is a 1:18 scale Hot Wheels diecast model of a Ferrari F2005 Formula 1 car, specifically the #5 car driven by Michael Schumacher. It is part of the Hot Wheels Racing series and comes boxed. The car is colored red and is a replica of the Ferrari 248 model used by the Ferrari racing team.

The Ferrari 248 F1, driven by Michael Schumacher, was a significant part of the Scuderia Ferrari team's campaign during the 2006 Formula 1 season. It was the car used in Schumacher's final season with Ferrari, before his initial retirement from Formula 1 at the end of the 2006 season.

Here’s a bit of history on the 248 F1 and Schumacher’s role with it:

Development and Design:

• Model Name: Ferrari 248 F1
• Engine: It had a V8 engine, the 2.4L type that was introduced for the 2006 season in response to the FIA regulations that restricted engine capacity from 3.0L V10s to 2.4L V8s.
• Chassis: The 248 F1 had a more compact design, with improved aerodynamics and weight distribution, allowing the car to make better use of the new engine configuration.
• Designers: The car was designed by the Ferrari engineering team, including key figures like Rory Byrne (Chief Designer) and Aldo Costa (Head of Engine Department), and it featured an evolution of the previous year’s successful 2005 car, the Ferrari 2005 F1.

2006 Season:

• The 248 F1 was a very competitive car throughout the 2006 season, and it featured advancements over its predecessor, offering more power and a better balance.
• Michael Schumacher, along with his teammate Felipe Massa, drove the 248 F1, and they had strong performances throughout the year.
• Key Races and Moments:
  • Schumacher won multiple races in 2006, including the dramatic Monaco Grand Prix and the Hungarian Grand Prix.
  • Despite battling with Fernando Alonso (driving for Renault), Schumacher and Ferrari came close to securing both the drivers’ and constructors’ championships.
  • Schumacher finished 2nd in the driver's standings, just behind Alonso, in what would be his final full season before retiring.

Legacy:

• While the 248 F1 didn't clinch the drivers’ title for Schumacher, it was an incredibly competitive car that reflected Ferrari’s commitment to excellence and their ability to respond to challenges from rivals like Renault and McLaren.
• The car was also important in that it was part of a defining era of Schumacher’s dominance in Formula 1, marking the end of a chapter in his career.
• After the 2006 season, Schumacher announced his first retirement from Formula 1, leaving behind a legacy of 5 consecutive championships with Ferrari, a feat that would cement his place as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.

Though the 248 F1 didn't win the championship in 2006, the car is still fondly remembered by Ferrari fans for its performance and its role in one of Schumacher’s most dramatic seasons.