Skip to content
Pickoryx

LEGO McLaren 77251 vs Ferrari 77242: Which F1 Car Set Fits You?

Pick the McLaren if its integrated chassis-floor build and MCL38 team identity are the draw; pick the Ferrari if you prefer the SF-24 and its distinct airbox sub-build. The published build observations are attributed to The Brothers Brick, not to a Pickoryx build test.

Published by Pickoryx · Published 2026-10-17

Source checked 2026-10-17 23:50 UTC

Products compared

Pickoryx may earn a commission from qualifying purchases through the paid Amazon links on this page, at no added cost to you.

The buying question

Should I build and display the McLaren MCL38 77251 or Ferrari SF-24 77242?

The sets represent different teams and finished cars, and one reviewer reports different floor, sidepod, and airbox construction approaches. There is no evidence here that one is easier or better.

Quick verdict

When the recommendation changes
  • A current price comparison becomes available and changes the value decision.
  • You prioritize measured build time, difficulty, or hands-on durability evidence that this comparison does not provide.

The differences that matter

Model Specific Build Structure

LEGO Speed Champions McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car 77251

The Brothers Brick reviewer describes the McLaren floor as integrated into the chassis, with stud inversions and rounded plates shaping its sidepods.[3]

LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 F1 Race Car 77242

The same reviewer describes the Ferrari airbox as a separate sub-build fitted between inlet doors.[3]

What this changes: These are different building approaches to consider if construction itself is part of the appeal. The review does not establish which set is easier, faster, or better built.[3]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Finished Model Display Details

LEGO Speed Champions McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car 77251

The finished model represents McLaren’s MCL38 from the 2024 F1 season and includes a McLaren driver figure; LEGO presents it for display as well as play.[1]

LEGO Speed Champions Ferrari SF-24 F1 Race Car 77242

The finished model represents Ferrari’s SF-24 from the 2024 F1 season and includes a Ferrari driver figure; LEGO presents it for display as well as play.[2]

What this changes: Choose by the team and car identity you want on the shelf; LEGO describes the same season and broad play/display role, while the team identity and car presentation differ.[1, 2]

The better fit depends on your priorities

Best for your routine

Choose the car/team identity you prefer to display

The better fit depends on your priorities

The official product pages identify different 2024 teams and cars, and both sets are presented for display; personal team preference decides this one.

Choose the build feature you would rather assemble

The better fit depends on your priorities

The reviewer reports a distinct construction feature for each set, without establishing that either build is easier or better.

Value and trade-offs

One or both observed offers have eligibility conditions, so no unrestricted price difference is shown.

Current offer prices were not verified for this article, so it cannot say whether either set justifies a price premium.

There is not enough verified price history here to recommend buying now or waiting.

Limitations

  • The Brothers Brick disclosed that LEGO supplied an early review copy. Its build descriptions are attributed reviewer observations, not a controlled test or a Pickoryx hands-on build.
  • No evidence here compares build time, difficulty, piece quality, durability, or real-world racing performance.
  • Current offers and price history were not verified; check the live listing before deciding on price.

Questions shoppers ask

Do both sets represent 2024 Formula 1 cars?

Yes. LEGO identifies 77251 as McLaren’s MCL38 and 77242 as Ferrari’s SF-24, both representing cars from the 2024 season.

What is the clearest reported build difference?

The Brothers Brick reviewer describes the McLaren floor as integrated into the chassis, while the Ferrari gets an airbox sub-build fitted between inlet doors. That is a difference in construction approach, not proof that one set is easier.

Methodology and sources

Compared LEGO’s exact set descriptions with The Brothers Brick reviewer’s observations about building both models. Build-time, difficulty, and durability testing was not performed for this article.

AI assisted source research and drafting. The cited build observations come from The Brothers Brick; Pickoryx did not build or test either set.

View 3 sources
  1. 1.McLaren F1 Team MCL38 Race Car 77251LEGO · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-17 23:50 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Features and Specifications; set number 77251, MCL38, 2024 model, driver figure, 10+ age guidance, play/display purpose: LEGO identifies set 77251 as the McLaren MCL38 from the 2024 season; describes a cockpit with liftable halo, rear wing, wishbone suspension, sponsor stickers, wider Pirelli-marked rear tires, one McLaren driver minifigure, and a model intended for build, play, and display.
  2. 2.Ferrari SF-24 F1 Race Car 77242LEGO · Official specifications · Source checked 2026-10-17 23:50 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Features and Specifications; set number 77242, SF-24, 2024 model, driver figure, 10+ age guidance, play/display purpose: LEGO identifies set 77242 as the Ferrari SF-24 from the 2024 season; describes a cockpit with liftable halo, rear wing, wishbone suspension, sponsor stickers, wider Pirelli-marked rear tires, one Ferrari driver minifigure, and a model intended for build, play, and display.
  3. 3.LEGO Speed Champions 77242 & 77251 Formula One car collection: Is this peak Speed Champions?The Brothers Brick · Independent testing · Source checked 2026-10-17 23:50 UTC
    Evidence used on this page
    • Build, lines 33-36 and 70-71; finished models, line 94; publication discloses an early review copy at line 8: In a disclosed first-hand review of both exact sets, the reviewer reports different construction approaches: McLaren integrates the floor into the chassis and uses stud inversions and rounded plates at the sidepods; Ferrari uses a separate airbox sub-build held by inlet doors. The reviewer also says both finished cars stood out for their colors and clever techniques. These are that reviewer’s observations, not a controlled comparison or Pickoryx hands-on test.