LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance review

LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is the largest of the four brand new F1 LEGO sets released this March – but will bigger prove to be better?

You know how it goes, you wait a few years for a decent LEGO F1 set, and then four come along at once: two smaller sets in the shape of Speed Champions 76919 2023 McLaren Formula 1 Car and 42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back and then two larger marquee sets. 

LEGO Icons 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna has had favorable reviews across the board and 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is its Technic equivalent – a large-scale, highly detailed and authentic model – but will it prove to be an equally enjoyable build and well-designed model as its System counterpart, or will it fail to get out of the starting blocks? 

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance set details ---

Theme: Technic Set name: 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Release: March 1, 2024

Price: £189.99 / €219.99 / $219.99 Pieces: 1642 Minifigures: 0

LEGO: Order now

--- Where to buy LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance ---

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to places to purchase your copy of 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance. Not only is it available from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores worldwide, but it’s also available from third-party retailers, as well as the official F1 and Mercedes websites too – although the only place you’ll be able to collect those all-important Insiders points is of course through official LEGO outlets. 

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build ---

Twelve numbered and two unnumbered bags contain the 1,642 pieces that make up 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance. Also included are four newly-designed slick tyres. LEGO Icons 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna also contains slick tyres but at a System scale; these are much bigger to fit a larger Technic model. There's also a sticker sheet with a whopping 74 separate stickers that are needed to add the decals, logos and sponsorship detailing all over the car.

The LEGO designers worked side by side with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team to create a model that not only looks authentic but also accurately replicates the car's striking design features. Three new panel elements have been created to capture the aerodynamic curves, the V6 engine is fully operational with working pistons and the aforementioned slick tyres and wheel caps complete the look.

Designed at a 1:8 scale, this is a very impressive looking model. To give you an idea just how authentic this model actually is, when you first open the instruction manual there is a double spread featuring the real-life car facing the Technic set. They look almost identical and you'll almost certainly do a double take before you realise one is real and one is made entirely from LEGO. 

Constructing a real-life F1 car requires a staggering million hours of work, with hundreds of people working on a multitude of different elements. The cars themselves are built much like a LEGO model: numerous sub-assemblies come together to form one impressive motor vehicle. Thankfully the build time of this model isn't anywhere close to a million hours, but there are sure to be a lot of different sub-assemblies required throughout. 

The build begins in an unexpected way. Usually with a Technic model of this size, the first stage would be to construct a basic frame. However, the first task to complete with this set is to assemble the suspension. It's actually an extremely involved process and will require a lot of concentration right from the start. Inexperienced builders may find this a little daunting, and perhaps a little overcomplicated – especially when it comes to working out some of the more complex directions within the manual.

Technic sets are well known for their higher degree of difficulty compared to some other LEGO themes on the market, but 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance feels like it's on another level. Right from the start the amount of brain power needed is quite unlike most other sets you may have come across. It genuinely feels like it might be easier to construct an actual F1 car – okay, it's not that complicated but it's certainly a very deep, involved and at times taxing model to put together. That's without taking into consideration the number of 'fiddly' stickers that need to be applied too, with most requiring you to line up designs across curves, angled and intricate parts.

The build starts to veer into more familiar, and thankfully simpler, territory with the construction of the replica V6 engine. The working pistons are designed the same way they have been for many years within the Technic theme (if it ain't broke, don't fix it). The engine connects to the wheels, and as the wheels move, so does the engine.

The bodywork is made up of a multitude of curved and angled panels that interlock to create almost seamless lines and curves over the entire model. As mentioned, stickers are applied throughout to almost every panel. This requires a lot of dexterity and patience, but ultimately adds so much to the set's finished look, as well as adding an incredibly deep layer of authenticity.

The latter stages don't feel anywhere near as complex as working through the first few bags and the build becomes a very enjoyable experience. That's not to say the earlier, harder sections aren't engaging; it's just later on the build is less of an exercise in precise and involved engineering. 

However, don't be fooled into thinking the rest of the build is a simple task – far from it. There are some ingenious connections, the two rear panels near the V6 engine being one great example. Technic bars are angled and swivelled around to create a panel that's not only curved, but also sits on the framework at an angle just under 45 degrees. It's very smart and looks very effective. The same can be said for the majority of this model – it's very sleek, very stylish and captures the unmistakable look of an actual F1 car almost faultlessly. Of course by its very nature LEGO Technic sets will have gaps every now and again, but to criticise the design because of the model's medium feels a little harsh.

The layered nose fin is a good example of this. Three panels are layered on top of one another, alternating the angles of the curves to create a sleek sub-assembly. While there are a lot of gaps present, it's such a clever and unique technique that it looks brilliant in spite of them. The way the front nose cone slots and angles into place is also a very smart design.

There aren't many negatives to take away from the build experience, but the amount of stickers needed does get a little laborious towards the end. Nearly every sticker requires a great level of concentration and it does get a little tedious after a while. Also, considering the actual F1 car is made up of a lot of sub-assemblies that connect together (much like nearly every LEGO Technic set out there), in this model most of the build is attached to a central frame that slowly builds up. It feels like a slight missed opportunity to replicate the actual construction of a real-life F1 car.

However, the all-black colour scheme is very, very cool and the model looks sleek, stylish and at the same time, quite menacing – in a good way. 

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance price ---

It was only two years ago that the similar 42141 McLaren Formula 1 Race Car was released, and it's actually still available to buy. That makes a price comparison with this set all the easier. 

While 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is slightly more expensive than its predecessor (by around £20 / $30) it is easily the superior model. It looks a lot more authentic, it’s more stylish, it's more accurate and the build is by far more enjoyable and involved. 

Couple that with the fact this is also larger by piece count (with nearly 200 more pieces) and it’s quite easy to see that 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is not only fairly priced, but also makes for the better option of the two large-scale F1 LEGO Technic models currently on the market. 

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance pictures ---

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance pros and cons ---

Overall 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is a solid set. While the build is certainly one of the most advanced Technic sets out there – and as a result may seem a little overwhelming for new or inexperienced builders – the end result speaks for itself. 

Yes, the stickers are incredibly laborious by the end of the building process, but it is so worth persevering as this is one of the nicest and most accurate Technic sets out there, and from a distance it’s hard to tell it’s actually a LEGO Technic model. 

F1 aficionados will get a lot from this set and seasoned Technic builders will love the challenge. It’s probably not advisable to purchase this as your first Technic set (the much smaller 42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back is probably a better bet for a novice), but whatever your skill level, there's no denying the sheer class present within this model. It's a job very well done and a set that earns its rightful place on top of the podium.

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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--- Alternatives to LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance ---

You could probably fill a garage with the amount of brand new F1 models that have just been released. If you are after a large-scale build, but regular LEGO System is your preferred building medium, then check out the excellent LEGO Icons 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna. 

If you want to stick with Technic, but want a build that’s a little less challenging (but still sleek) then the newly released 42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back is a great option. Or if you want to steer away from Formula 1, but still want a decent-sized Technic model, consider the brilliantly-designed 42156 PEUGEOT 9X8 24H Le Mans Hybrid Hypercar. 

--- LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance FAQs ---