This is a 1:43 scale diecast model of the Ferrari F310 as driven by Michael Schumacher at the Spanish Grand Prix Barcelona in the 1996 Formula One World Championship.
The F310 proved to be a front-running car, but without the outright pace or superb reliability which led to the Williams FW18s dominating 1996. Schumacher was able to win three Grands Prix, but the F310's shortcomings were shown by Irvine's run of eight consecutive retirements, most of them mechanical, as well as three straight double retirements. Development also proved troublesome, with the cars having to use the 1995 car's parts early in the season whilst structural problems were cured.
This car was notable as being the first Ferrari F1 car to stray from the traditional V12 engine format into the then more conventional engine format. The name F310 refers to the engine type, a 3 litre, 10 cylinder (V10) - a similar nomenclature consistent with that used for Ferrari's F1 cars from 1966 to 1980, and more recently, 2006 (the312.312B,312T and Ferrari 248). The engine was also called the 310.
The F310 was the only car in the 1996 field to have a low nose, with the high nose now very much in vogue and aerodynamically preferred. From the word go chief designer John Barnad announced his intentions to design a high held nose for the car, saying that the F310 would be an ongoing project with the ultimate goal to win the world championship.