Spygate hits the toy shops!

[inimitablestoo]

I had to laugh while flicking through the latest Hamley's catalogue. Ferrari has had a long-standing deal with Lego to produce various-sized models of Formula 1 and road cars, so that you can recreate famous moments like Austria 2002 and Indy 2002 in your own home without attracting howls of derision. Now it seems that Mega Bloks - which, as every Lego aficionado will know, is a cheap knock-off of a certain Danish product - is marketing an F1 playset based around McLaren! Having analysed the pictures of the two cars, they don't look similar, but I dare say the FIA's Toys Division will be looking into this before Christmas ;) Assuming Max Mosley hasn't already thrown them out of the pram, of course...

(Point of order: if anyone can be bothered replying to this, can they refer to "Lego bricks" or "Lego pieces" and not the loathed "Legos" that some people seem to think is acceptable. Thank you)

[markabilly]

If it is going to be realistic, it must come with a minature tea set for serving Kool Aid

[aryan]

Lego the Danish company is one of my all time favourite companies. It is still a family-run business, with such a wonderful corporate culture.

It has however been suffering from cheap knock-off and copy cats since the turn of the century, and this is just one more example of it.

[wmcot]

Did Mega Bloks receive a 780 page document from Lego? :)

[inimitablestoo]

Unfortunately Lego have made a rod for their own backs by providing just such a document with every set they produce. Nevertheless I imagine Mega Bloks will be punished and, although they'll still see a profit on every set sold, you won't be allowed to claim the points on your store loyalty card ;)

[Osella]

I'm just wondering whether anyone will persuade Mattel to produce an F2007 in Vodafone McLaren livery... :laugh:

[wmcot]

I'm just wondering whether anyone will persuade Mattel to produce an F2007 in Vodafone McLaren livery... :laugh:

I would bet some Ferrari fan hobbyist will convert one just for laughs!

[Osella]

Hmmm, I've been considering it ;)

[Rollo]

http://i9.ebayimg.com/08/i/000/c7/f7/20ba_1.JPG
http://cache.lego.com/images/shop/prod/8386-0000-XX-12-1.jpg

Cleaning up the debris from the 2002 Melbourne GP would have been easier with this technology.

[passmeatissue]

Love those special tyres Stefano ordered... :D