With another LEGO Technic Formula 1 set about to hit the brick-built track, the wheels are proving to be a point of contention among fans.
LEGO Technic 42228 McLaren MCL39 was revealed yesterday, and fans of Formula 1 have been quick to point out that the 1,635-piece set follows in the wheel tracks of its predecessors to feature wheels that are the same width at the front and back.
In real life, the Pirelli tyres used in Formula 1 measure 305mm on the front axle and 405mm on the rear axle, but the LEGO versions are the exact same size. That's the same not just on previous LEGO Technic F1 cars, like 42206 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 and 42207 Ferrari SF-24, but also on most Formula 1 builds in other themes like Icons (excluding 10353 Williams Racing FW14B & Nigel Mansell) and Speed Champions.
Another exception is 11375 Ferrari F2004 & Michael Schumacher, which managed to mirror the real-life tyres – and that's only because the actual car featured tyres that were very close in size at the front and back.
"I'll buy one, but why not the right wheel size?" asked Linus Lindblom in the Brick Fanatics Facebook comments on the reveal of 42228 McLaren MCL39, while Stefan Leuzinger concurred on the same post, writing: "Wrong wheel size."
However, after several years now of LEGO Formula 1 sets featuring tyres of the same width at the front and back, is it arguably too late to change now? The reason for not having different tyres is likely down to cost. Including two sizes of tyre would be more expensive than one, perhaps hiking up the cost of the already expensive Technic LEGO sets, priced at £199.99 / $229.99 / €229.99.
To keep a unified look between all the cars that have come before, the LEGO Group can't really change now. While introducing a new tyre size means you could feasibly buy them individually and retroactively make past sets more accurate, that's an expensive add-on for a seemingly minor change.
With a few sets now invested in the LEGO Formula 1 range, we've perhaps hit the point of no return. What's the better compromise: authentically sized tyres, or a consistent look across a Technic Formula 1 LEGO display?
Ultimately, it doesn't seem like the LEGO Group is planning to change its design anytime soon – but maybe that's a good thing for those in the consistency camp.
LEGO Technic 42228 McLaren MCL39 is available to pre-order now ahead of its launch on March 1, priced at £199.99 in the UK, $229.99 in the US, and €229.99 in Europe.
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