Formula 1 has been the pinnacle of motorsport and automotive engineering for most of the last century. F1 is commonly referred to as the highest class of international motorsport racing as it contains multiple teams that design, manufacture, and race cars according to a set formula. This formula changes on an annual basis and is carefully designed to drive innovation and creativity within the sport.
This has led to a wide variety of new technologies being developed for the automotive industry. In this way, creating a successful Formula 1 car can have a positive effect on both the marketing and development of cars within the industry. While you may jump straight to your favorite F1 team or car, here are 10 of the most iconic Formula 1 cars of all time.
10 Ferrari Tipo 500
The Ferrari Tipo 500 was technically a Formula 2 racing car that was run when the official World Championship was held in accordance with F2 regulations. This amazing feat of engineering was designed by Aurelio Lampredi and powered its way to winning two Drivers’ Championships and two Constructors’ Championships.
The Ferrari Tipo 500 was a single-seater Formula 2 car that featured a tubular frame. The car had a double-wishbone suspension in the front and De Dion axle suspension in the rear. The Tipo 500 was also fitted with a Lampredi L4 engine with a 4-speed manual gearbox.
9 lotus 72
The Lotus 72 was a Formula 1 car designed by Maurice Philippe and Colin Chapman for the 1970 Formula 1 season. This new model from Lotus came with inboard brakes and side-mounted radiators in the sidepods. The Lotus 72 featured a naturally aspirated V8 that could achieve over 440 hp at over 10,000 rpm.
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This car set the base for Lotus from 1970 all the way to 1975. During this time, Lotus managed to win three Constructors’ Championships and two Drivers’ Championships’. This included winning around 20 races and getting on the podium 39 times.
8th McLaren Honda MP4/4
The McLaren MP4/4 was one of the most successful cars in McLaren’s Formula 1 history. Designed in conjunction with Honda’s power unit, the MP4/4 was manufactured with a carbon fiber honeycomb monocoque, double wishbone suspension, and a 6-speed manual transmission.
The McLaren MP4/4 was fitted with a turbocharged V6 engine that managed to produce around 650 to 700 hp at over 12,000 rpm. The F1 car was driven by both Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna, with Senna managing to win the 1988 Drivers’ Championship.
7 Williams FW14/B
The FW14/B was designed and introduced by Williams for the 1992 Formula 1 season. The Williams car, driven by Mansell, managed to wrap up the 1992 Drivers’ Championship by winning a record-breaking 9 races during the season.
The Williams was powered by a Renault V10 engine that could easily achieve over 700 hp at 12,000 rpm. The car also featured active suspension in the 1992 season, replacing the pushrod, inboard spring suspension of the 1991 model.
6 Benetton B195
Designed by Formula 1 legend Ross Brawn, the Benetton B195 won the 1995 Formula 1 World Championship. Powered by a Renault power unit, the B195 featured a V10 engine that could produce over 675 hp at over 15,000 rpm.
The B195 was famous due to it powering Michael Schumacher to his first-ever Drivers’ World Championship title in 1995. The impressive race car won 11 of its 17 races, with 4 pole positions and 8 fastest lap awards as well.
5 Ferrari F2002
One of the most successful and famous Formula 1 cars in recent history has to be the F2002 from Ferrari. The Ferrari F2002 was designed and manufactured by Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro for the 2002 season of the Formula 1 World Championship. Taking over from the F2001, the Ferrari F2002 implemented a naturally aspirated 3-liter V10 in conjunction with a new 7-speed automatic gearbox.
This powertrain managed to produce 835 hp at over 17,000 rpm. This model managed 15 race wins, 28 podiums, 11 pole positions, and 15 fastest lap awards during the 2002 and 2003 seasons. With this, Ferrari managed to secure both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships during this time as well.
4 Brown BGP 001
Brawn is one of the most unique and successful teams in Formula 1 history. This is due to the fact that Brawn managed to master the new regulations in 2009 to win both the Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championships in their first and only season in Formula 1.
The Brawn BGP 001 included a wishbone and pushrod activated suspension, with a Mercedes-Benz 2.4-liter, naturally aspirated V8. The 750 hp engine was designed for a number of cars on the grid that year, but was made effective with Brawn’s dynamic aerodynamic package. This helped Jenson Button to his only Drivers’ Championship and the team to their first and only Constructors’ Championship title.
3 Red Bull RB9
Red Bull does not sell cars. They sell energy drinks. However, the RB9 is by far one of the most memorable and iconic Formula 1 cars in recent history. Manufactured for the 2013 Formula 1 season, the RB9 was designed with a Renault power unit that produced over 750 hp.
Although Red Bull was on a winning streak, the 2013 Formula 1 season was highly contested as a development battle between some of the top teams. Finishing 1st and 6th in the opening race, Red Bull had a lot of work to do in the second half of the season. This helped Vettel win 9 straight Grand Prix to secure his 4th World Championship in a row.
2 Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid
The W05 may have been the 5th F1 car from Mercedes-Benz, but it was their first-ever Championship-winning model. Designed by some of the greatest F1 engineers, the W05 was the first hybrid-powered F1 car from Mercedes. The 1.6-liter Hybrid V6 produced over 800 hp and included an electric motor and ERS system for extra power.
The turbocharged engine paired perfectly with the carbon-fiber body to walk Mercedes to their first-ever Constructors’ and Drivers’ Championship title. Out of the 19 races in 2014, the W05 won 16, with 11 of them being 1-2 finishes by Hamilton and Rosberg. In total, the W05 achieved 16 wins, 31 podiums, 18 pole positions, and 12 fastest lap awards. This makes it one of the most dominant and successful F1 cars in history.
1 Mercedes AMG W11 EQ Performance
While the Mercedes-Benz F1 team had been dominating F1 at the time, the Mercedes W11 took it to a whole new level. This was due to the perfecting of the turbo-hybrid power unit along with dynamic, new motorsport technologies developed specifically for the 2020 season.
Although controversial, Mercedes developed a dual axis steering system (DAS) for the 2020 F1 season. This lets the driver push and pull the steering wheel to change the angle of the front wheels. The change in angle allowed for more grip in certain parts of the track and resulted in a seriously dominant performance in the 2020 season. This led Lewis Hamilton to his record-equalling, 7th World Drivers’ Championship as the W11 managed to win 13 of the 17 races.
10 Of The Best Formula 1 Cars Ever Created
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About The Author
Nicholas Pillay
(11 Articles Published)
Nicholas is an avid motorsport lover from South Africa. He has been obsessed with all things automotive from an early age and managed to learn about the industry directly during his time at Mercedes-Benz. Nicholas also studied and worked in Germany, where he accumulated over five years of experience in the marketing and automotive industry. Nicholas is also a passionate Formula 1 fan, patiently awaiting Lewis Hamilton’s 9th World Championship.
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