On the eve of the 2025 Formula 1 season’s first race, it’s the perfect time to take a look at one last LEGO® F1 set. Following a look at the Icons retro F1 set and all of the Speed Champions F1 Race Cars, it’s time to head over to LEGO City. There were several LEGO City F1 sets released earlier this year, but one took a little longer to appear. Unlike the Speed Champions sets, the LEGO City ones are inspired not only by F1 teams but also by the surrounding aspects of the world-famous race. Here’s a brief look at the F1 Grid with VCARB & Sauber Race Cars set.
Product Details
Set Name: F1 Grid with VCARB & Sauber Race Cars | Set Number: 60474 | Pieces: 313 | Theme: Speed Champions
Number of Bags: Bags x 6 | Instructions: Paper booklet + Builder App | Stickers: N/A | Characters: Sauber & VCARB drivers + marshal
RRP: £24.99/$29.99/29.99€/39.99AUD/39.99CAD
Availability: LEGO Stores, Online & LEGO retailers
Most of the other LEGO F1 sets are focused on the high-powered cars which are central to the world-famous race championship. But the LEGO City sets have taken a different approach, they still feature F1 cars but also additional components such as track-side furniture, transportation and pit-stop garages. Over the six LEGO City F1 Collection sets, they offer the complete line-up of F1 teams, and the set rounds off the collection with the VCARB and Sauber cars.
The ‘Grid’ is where races are started and finished. In this set it’s represented by a small slice of the race track, including sections of the track barrier and the gantry which bridges them. This features an F1-branded light panel. The ‘lights’ can be changed by sliding the plate; this switches the clear studs to red ones. It’s a simple play feature but a fun one. On the longer side of the barrier is a raised platform. This is where the marshal waves the checkered flag.
Compared to the Speed Champions F1 cars the two features in this set are extremely basic. They do not use any unique elements beyond the tyres, and even these are generic, unlike the Pirelli ones used for the Speed Champions cars. They also lack any sponsorship logos or team branding. This adds to the basic nature of both cars.
Although the cars are dearth of logos they do represent F1 teams. The black and green car represents the Sauber team, with the VCARB team being the white, blue and red car. They may lack the detail of other F1 LEGO vehicles, but they are better suited to the intended audience and are more robust for being played with.
Unlike the cars, the minifigures do share similarities with their Speed Champions counterparts. Both of the racers are kitted out in the same style race suits, although the VCARB driver lacks the Red Bull logo. They also lack the unique F1 helmets featured in the Speed Champions sets. Instead using the classic helmet elements. The third minifigure may look like a random fan, but it is listed as a marshal. It feels a little too generic and could have been made to appear more connected to the race theme.
It’s a little unfair to compare the set to the Speed Champions ones, but they are inspired by the same source material. The LEGO City sets are certainly more basic, and this particular set is definitely one of the more simplistic offerings. However, they are also intended for play, and with the release of the set, the LEGO City F1 line-up is finally complete. The F1 Grid with VCARB & Sauber Race Cars set is available now.
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The LEGO Group provided this set to BricksFanz.com for review purposes. The thoughts expressed in this review are those of BricksFanz.com and do not reflect those of the LEGO Group or F1. Providing the set for free does not guarantee a favourable opinion.
