Released in March 2025, the LEGO 77249 Williams Racing FW46 is part of a new stable of Formula 1 models in the LEGO Speed Champions range that covers all ten teams currently in the competition! Race favourite teams Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes are joined by other stalwarts like Aston Martin, Alpine and, of course, Williams.
LEGO 77249 Williams Racing FW46: Uncomplicated Yet Satisfying
Having tackled a Mercedes build in the Technic range last year, my eight year-old F1 afficionado was game to take a different car for a spin this season!
LEGO’s Speed Champion series focuses on smaller and more playable cars that are less complex than Technic builds. So not unexpectedly, this set, although similarly-sized at 263 pieces and age-rated 10+, turned out to be less of a challenge for him than the last build.
My builder completed it unassisted in a single hour-and-a-half sitting, reporting a largely straightforward experience, aside from some tricky connections on the wheels.
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That wasn’t to say the build was simple – the myriad of small parts and tiny stickers involved demand a good measure of focus and dexterity from the child. But steps in the 100-page instruction booklet were clear, and the 3D function in the LEGO Builder App is available for this set for those who might need some additional help with visualization.
An “A” for Accuracy and Playability
The final model is about 20cm long and, despite the various appendages inherent in the design of a racing car, surprisingly robust in play. Unlike the Technic Mercedes model, this set does not boast a pull-back mechanism, but insofar as racing goes, it still covers a good distance when hand-propelled owing to a sturdy set of smooth racing wheels.
My teen critic also gave the model a thumbs-up for accuracy. On the whole, the model is a fairly successful representation of the Williams challenger – the shaping is well done and the two-tone blue livery has been transferred well to LEGO form. One cool detail is that, even at this scale, the rear wheels in this set are slightly larger and wider than the front wheels – a feature you’d find on actual race cars to maximize grip and acceleration.
The set also comes with a (female) driver minifig wearing the white Williams racing overalls and sporting a helmet emblazoned with the Williams logo, which the F1 fans appreciated.
Can We Get Another?
Priced around $40-45 in Singapore, the F1 Speed Champions models are on the pocket-friendlier end of the spectrum of LEGO F1 sets, and indeed the spectrum of F1 merchandize in general. They would make a delightful treat for any young F1 fan, or even adult collectors of F1 cars.
The only thing is that racing cars beg to be pitted against one another. So you may find yourself receiving a request, like I did, to get another – or two – from the stable.
