Top 6 Formula One Cars

Formula 1 cars are mainly used only for a single season but that time is long enough for some of them to earn legendary reputation because of their performance, results, design or livery.

Over the last six decades, technology progressed incredibly and many formulas easily could be branded as the trademarks of the sports, so the task of naming the six best is not an easy job, especially knowing that so many top lists are already made.

However, this is our choice, mainly based on the results and partly on subjective feelings.

6. Red Bull RB9

Driving this formula Sebastian Vettel won his fourth consecutive World Championship title in 2013 winning 13 out of 19 races that year. The German, who named this model ’Hungry Heidi’, was especially dominant in the second half of the year when he scored nine wins in a row. RB9 in Vettel’s hands proved to be one of the best cars in the history of Formula 1. Except 13 race wins, RB9 during 2013 scored a total of 24 podium finishes, 11 pole positions, and 12 fastest laps.

Red Bull RB

This was also the last V8 and a naturally aspirated engine powered F1 car which won the title, marking the end of the V8 and the naturally aspirated engine era of Formula 1 which was introduced in 1989.

5. Lotus 72

One of the most iconic cars in the history of Formula 1, created by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe. In the time when the drivers probably had more important role than they have nowadays, innovative Lotus 72 was giving a huge advantage. An overhead air intake, side mounted radiators, inboard brakes, and advanced aerodynamics made the revolution in Formula 1 and Lotus 72 from the start was well ahead of its rivals.

Lotus 72

The Lotus 72 debuted on the track in 1970 and immediately won the Constructors’ championship, as well the Drivers’ championship in the hands of Jochen Rindt who won the title posthumously. The double was again won in 1972, but Emerson Fittipaldi was the one who became the Drivers’ champion. In 1973 Lotus 72 fo the third time won the Constructors’ title, driven by Fittipaldi and Ronnie Peterson.

During six years on the track, Lotus 72 scored a total of 20 race wins out from 75 starts, 39 podiums, 17 pole positions and 9 fastest laps.

4. Williams FW14

Williams F1 Team can be proud with many cars but FW14 and FW14B, in particular, has a legendary status. Based on the model from 1991 which won seven races and was runner-up in the Constructors’ championship, FW14B made a step further and won both Constructors’ and Drivers’ championship titles in 1992.  With the developed gearbox, traction control, and active suspension system, the FW14B was the dominant car on the grid. Nigel Mansell became the champion scoring nine wins in 16 races while Riccardo Patrese added one victory.

Williams FE14B

Williams FW14 appeared in a total of 32 races, scoring 17 wins, 21 poles and 19 fastest laps what was an impressive record.

3. Ferrari F2002

Michael Schumacher made this car so famous, but this car also helped German to confirm himself as one of the Formula 1 greatest drivers ever. Ferrari started 2002 season with the F2001, but when entered the championship in the third race of the season in Brazil, F2002 became absolutely dominant.

Ferrari F2002

A masterpiece of the South African chassis designer Rory Byrne and the Italian engine designer Paolo Martinelli was much lighter than its predecessor and had an impressive record on the track. F2002 in the hands of Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello won 14 out of 17 races in 2002 and also won once in 2003, scoring a total of 15 race wins from 19 starts, The F2002 also had a total of 28 podium finishes, 11 pole positions, and 15 fastest laps.

2. Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid

Begining of the Mercedes supremacy in the Formula 1 world started with this car, was designed to use new 1.6 litre V6 turbocharged engine, the PU106A Hybrid. This car clinched maiden Manufacturers’ championship title for Mercedes and did it in great style.

Mercedes W05 Hybrid

Lewis Hamilton, who won the 2014 Drivers’ championship, and Nico Rosberg, who was a runner-up, won 16 put of 19 races that year, scoring a fascinating number of 11 1-2 finishes, 31 podiums, 18 pole positions, 12 fastest laps and collecting a total of 701 points throughout the year.

1. McLaren MP4/4

Extremely successful and probably the car with the coolest livery of the simple elegance, driven by two legends – Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. Based on 1986 Brabham BT55, designed by Steve Nichols and Gordon Murray and powered by Honda 1.5l V6 turbo engine, this car achieved absolutely epic results.

McLaren MP4/4

McLaren MP4/4 outclassed its rivals in 1988 winning both Constructors’ and Drivers’ championship titles. Senna became the champions with 8 wins on his account while Prost won 7 races, finishing the season only 3 points behind the Brazilian. 15 wins and pole positions and 10 fastest laps in only 16 races was the balance sheet of McLaren MP 4/4. In 1988 McLaren Mp 4/4 failed to win only at Monza. All six MP4/4 chassis made for 1988 season still exist and could be seen in the UK and in Japan.

Photo: f1technical.net ultimatecarpage.com racem.org conceptcarz.com wikipedia.org johnywheels.com