V25 F1 Racing Car Review ——A replicated track machine, pure mechanical enjoyment

 Preface

"This hands-on review is NifeliZ's collaborative experiment in authenticity: a diverse team—from office professionals and LEGO enthusiasts to musicians and photographers—built our own kits alongside fans to experience their joys, struggles, and "aha" moments firsthand. By sharing raw insights into what works, what doesn't, and how we'll improve, we aim to create products that truly resonate with builders while offering you practical guidance. 

Whether avoiding pitfalls or enhancing your creative flow, this collective journey—fueled by varied perspectives but united in purpose—is designed to make every assembly smoother, every connection more meaningful, and every build a shared story of growth."

Hello everyone, I'm Cecilia. Fans familiar with Formula 1 are likely no strangers to the cars fielded by the Haas F1 Team. As Haas's challenger for the 2025 season, the VF-25 has become one of the most talked-about cars in the F1 paddock, thanks to its updated aerodynamic package and iconic red, white, and black livery. Its more consistent performances in the latter half of the season, combined with continuously refined design details, have helped this midfield contender win over plenty of fans.

Now, this iconic race car has been transformed into a building-block model, faithfully recreating its body lines and core mechanical components. From the racetrack to the desktop, it has been broken down into boxes of parts and reimagined in a new engineering form.

Today, I'll be taking you through the build process to see how this V-25 F1 model performs in practice.

1. Packaging and Contents

Contents:

●Bag 1 ×5 (Steps 1–153)

●Bag 2 ×5 (Steps 154–257)

●Bag 3 ×5 (Steps 258–398)

●Bag 4 ×5 (Step 399–530)

●Bag 5 ×9 (Step 531–755)

●Bag 6 ×4 (Step 756–835)

●1 accessory bag

●1 instruction manual

●4 parts storage boxes

●1 sticker

●1 bookmark

2.Assembly Process

Bag 1 contains 5 sub-bags. I first opened sub-bag [1.30], which forms the power core of the entire F1 car.

Be careful not to install the differential lock in the wrong direction—if reversed, rework later becomes very troublesome.

I would suggest adding assembly arrows in Step 12, as it would make the part alignment much clearer and more intuitive.

By step 30, the central differential and transmission gear system were completed. I tested the rotation a few times, and the gear transmission runs smoothly with no noticeable jamming.

Next I opened bag [31.58] to assemble the rear suspension system, which has a relatively complex structure requiring careful reference to the instructions.

I continued with bag [59.90].

Then opened bag [91.129].

I would also recommend adding assembly arrows in Step 91, as well. It would significantly reduce the difficulty of the building process.

By step 129, the mid and rear chassis section was completed.

Finally, I opened bag [130.153].

I installed the simulated V6 turbocharged engine into the rear-mid chassis. The radiator grilles, piping, and layered mechanical details are well executed, giving it a strong mechanical presence.

Opening Bag 2, consisting of four sub-bags

I opened bag [154.181], extending and connecting the chassis structure.

Then I opened bags [182.212-1] and [182.212-2].

At Step 196, I discovered a missing dark gray pin. Fortunately, it is a common part, so I replaced it with a spare without affecting progress.

By Step 212, the cockpit assembly was completed, and the overall chassis shape began to take form.

Next, I opened bags [213.257-1] and [213.257-2].

I then worked on the sidepods and applied decals. For transfer stickers, I found that pressing them down first and then slowly peeling the backing works best, while tweezers help with precise positioning in small areas, resulting in a much cleaner finish.

However, I was puzzled that the instructions do not indicate decal placement at all, making reference quite inconvenient.

Bag 3 contains five sub-bags

I first opened bags [258.301-1] and [258.301-2].

Just a quick comment on Step 265 — the parts diagram isn’t very clear. I had a brief moment of confusion because it’s hard to tell which part to use without checking the later assembly steps. It would really help if the parts were shown from a clearer angle.

By Step 301, the suspension system was completed.

Then I opened bag [302.342], installing the white nose cone and applying decals.

Next, I opened bags [343.398-1] and [343.398-2].

At Steps 376–377, the cross axle was extremely tight and would not move even under strong hand pressure. I eventually had to use tweezers to slowly work it into place, which took quite a while.

I also noticed that some instruction pages have a slight purple tint (not very visible in photos), which slightly affects visual contrast between parts.

After completing this section, I connected the front and main body. Turning the steering wheel successfully synchronized the front wheels, and the responsive mechanical interaction was immediately noticeable.

Bag 4, consisting of five sub-bags

I first opened bags [399.440-1] and [399.440-2].

This section reinforces the chassis base, making the entire frame more rigid.

Then I opened bag [441.474] to install the undertray.

Next, I opened bags [475.530-1] and [475.530-2].

At Step 510, I ran into another difficulty. The black rod could not be inserted into the pin by hand, so I had to lightly tap it with a tool to complete the installation.

Finally, I installed the iconic red-and-white rear wing. The striking color contrast is highly eye-catching, and once installed, the entire model’s presence changed significantly—an essential F1 design element that instantly elevates its visual impact.

Bag 5, consisting of nine sub-bags

I first opened bag [531.563].

The hose used in Step 538 is stored in the tire parts bag and must be cut to length according to the instructions.

Step 555 only provides a single view, and the lower connection structure is completely unclear. An additional perspective would be helpful; I spent quite a long time figuring it out.

By Step 563, the lower sidepod deflector was installed, completing the layered side detailing and significantly enhancing visual depth.

Next, I opened bags [564.599-1] and [564.599-2].

Then I opened bag [600.632] to assemble the opposite side structure.

I opened bags [633.667-1] and [633.667-2] to continue the assembly.

At this point, the body shell was fully closed, and the complete form of the car had taken shape.

I continued with bag [668.698], starting the front wing assembly.

Then I opened bags [699.755-1] and [699.755-2], completing the front wing structure, including supports and airflow elements, and applying the “Speed Zone” decal.

After assembling the front wing, I carefully mounted it onto the front suspension. Seeing the complete front-end structure come together was very satisfying.

Finally, I reached the last set of parts: Bag 6, consisting of four sub-bags

I opened bags [756.804-1] and [756.804-2].

The flexible shaft provided in the kit is slightly too short. After installing it, it keeps coming loose, and I’ve had to adjust it several times. Honestly, this has been quite frustrating.

I then opened bag [805.835] to assemble the rear cover.

Here I noticed another issue in the instructions: Step 835 contains an incorrect assembly arrow. After following it, the structure felt slightly off, and I had to double-check to identify the error.

After some effort, I finally installed the rear cover correctly. Fortunately, it is removable, allowing easy access to internal structures later.

Finally, I opened bag [836.839] to assemble the wheels.

I installed the hubs and slick tires on all wheels. Once completed, the car stood firmly on the desk. A gentle push made all four wheels roll smoothly, with the drivetrain and suspension moving in sync, producing an excellent dynamic effect.

With the main assembly completed, I applied the remaining decals, and the Haas V25 F1 model was officially finished.

3. Overall Evaluation

Overall, the model achieves a high level of visual fidelity. The decals and tire printing enhance the racing atmosphere, while the proportions and body lines are well controlled, making it suitable for display.

The model features well-designed mechanical linkages, offering a rich interactive experience. Turning the top gear synchronizes the front wheels with the cockpit steering wheel. A cockpit lever controls the rear wing, simulating the F1 DRS system. The rear cover reveals a metallic-painted V6 engine with neatly arranged components and detailed mechanical presentation.

However, several issues remain. The instruction manual suffers from unclear diagrams, incorrect arrow indicators, and color inconsistency, which often leads to assembly errors. Part tolerances and quality control also need improvement: cross axles and black rods are too tight, flexible shafts are too short and prone to detachment, and a missing standard pin was encountered during assembly. The front suspension rebound is also underwhelming, reducing the overall engineering feel.

However, several issues remain. The instruction manual suffers from unclear diagrams, incorrect arrow indicators, and color inconsistency, which often leads to assembly errors. Part tolerances and quality control also need improvement: cross axles and black rods are too tight, flexible shafts are too short and prone to detachment, and a missing standard pin was encountered during assembly. The front suspension rebound is also underwhelming, reducing the overall engineering feel.