Does LEGO 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna need an upgrade?

LEGO Icons 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna debuts a new slick tyre element that isn’t entirely accurate, offering an incentive for an upgrade.

As mentioned in our review, 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna includes a brand new slick tyre piece to more accurately depict the vehicle than using other rubber elements. In reality, the real McLaren MP4/4 features tyres at the back that are wider than they are at the front. The new piece only comes in one size though and for the sake of accuracy, an upgrade may be in order.

As RacingBrick explains, amending this error is a matter of creating a new piece from scratch and modifying the foundations of the model to accommodate for the increased width.

The process involves modifying the structure at the back of the new LEGO Icons set to be one stud thinner on each side and attaching a 31.2mm custom tyre piece in place of the official slick tyre part. The front tyres remain unaffected.

It’s a task that likely only the most dedicated LEGO fans will be enticed to undertake and whether the final result makes it worthwhile compared to the official design may affect your decision. The creation of a custom piece is likely to be the most expensive and difficult part of the process, especially for those who don’t own a 3D printer.

Considering the number of new pieces in 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna, using the tyre element at the front and back instead of creating another new part is understandable, though somewhat inaccurate. You can read more about the model in our in-depth review.

The LEGO Icons set is soon to launch on March 1, 2024, for £69.99 / $79.99 / €79.99 with 693 pieces and one exclusive Ayrton Senna minifigure.

Please continue to support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your copy of LEGO Icons 10330 McLaren MP4/4 & Ayrton Senna through one of our affiliate links.

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Jack Yates

LEGO has been a part of my life ever since I was young. It all started when my brother passed down 7657 AT-ST to me. It’s guided me through my early years, through school and eventually through my degree in journalism. I still have all my collection proudly on display, including my many NINJAGO sets, my favourite of all the LEGO Group’s themes. Outside of Brick Fanatics I am an avid gamer and enjoy a good game of Dungeons & Dragons.

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Phil Russell
Phil Russell
2 years ago

For me not only the back tyres are too thin, but the nose looks too curved. I’ve seen the MP4 a hundred times and that car definitely has a straighter nose. This moderate detail would radically improve the look and likeness to the original. Maybe a larger version is called for.

justin
justin
2 years ago

yes most definitely needs it done which i dont know why lego didn’t do it which is a little slack on their part, it also needs doing for the Mercedes 1/8 kit as well as the tyre markings lego seemed to leave out as well which looks really plain without them

Chris D
Chris D
2 years ago

if these guys market the rear tyre, I’ll buy the mod and model, as that the thing holding it back for me!

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