Die-casts cars have been made in various models and classifications. F1 die-cast cars are another niche in the popular die-cast car industry.

Formula One, commonly known as F1, refers to the highest class of auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) that began in the 1920s. The “formula” in the name pertains to the set of rules that are in place. Formula One cars race at extremely high speeds, 360 km/h (220 mph). The engines rev up to the formula imposed maximum limit of 18,000 RPM. These amazing race cars feature electronics, aerodynamics, suspension and on tyres. Formula One cars have the capability of pulling in excess of 5 G-forces in particular curves. The F1 season consists of a series of races that are known as Grands Prix. They can be held on circuits and occasionally on former public roads and closed city streets. The results of each race are tracked using a points system as to determine standing. Europe is the center for Formula One races.

The die-cast industry has translated the popularity of the F1 circuit into a burgeoning F1 die-cast car market. Several different toy manufacturers produce the wide range of F1 models available based on the actual race cars.

The stories regarding particular races and race car drivers are part of the appeal of the F1 die-cast cars. An example of a famous F1 model is the 1951 Alfa Romeo Alfetta 159 made by Exoto which is currently priced at $395.00. World champion Juan Manuel Fangio drove this car to victory at the Spanish Grand Prix in 1951. The interesting back story about this model is that Fangio joined the Alfa Romeo team alongside Giuseppe Farina and Luigi Fagioli. The title changed back and forth between Fangio and Farina. The culmination of Fangio having won three championships in Switzerland, France and Spain and his teammates having point deductions for illegal Ferrari improvements, Fangio took the title in the final race, just six points ahead of Alberto Ascari. A collector item for the serious F1 enthusiast is the 1957 Maserti 250F Lightweight. Created by Amalgam and valued at $6,700.00, it is a 1:8 scale of the car driven by Fangio in the German Grand Prix in Nurburgring. There are 1,387 individual components to this F1 die-cast replica. The detailing includes: separately built tubular frame, front and rear suspensions, springs, scale 6 cylinder inline engine, textile covered seat, detailed dashboard and a gas tank that fastens with a leather covered belt. Juan Manuel Fangio won 24 World Championship Grands Prix out of 51 starts. This is a winning percentage of 47.06%, the highest winning percentage in Formula One history.

Mario Andretti, in his debut for Ferrari, won the 1971 South African Grand Prix. It was his first Grand Prix. Another popular F1 die-cast car is the 1971 Ferrari 312B in red. It is made by Exoto and is priced at $235.00. This 1:18 scale includes the following detailing: machine aluminum valve stems, all working suspension, real coil spring, rubber-like Firestone tires, authentic tread pattern, graphics that are painted on, fabric seat belts, authentic Ferrari pattern woven cloth seat, full die-cast body, 11 step paint finish and hand assembled with over 150 scaled precision parts