Who are the 10 best F1 team principals in the sport?

Who are the 10 best F1 team principals in the sport?

Lenah Ann
May 6, 2024 at 10:31 AM

Formula One is one of the world's racing sports that has gained much popularity in recent decades. It has not only seen some of the greatest drivers in history but also legendary principals who made these drivers shine. The best F1 team principals have numerous titles and are famous for their extraordinary achievements. So, who is the best Formula 1 principal?

Christian Horner, Toto Wolff, and McLaren's Ron Dennis
Christian Horner (L) on 21 April 2024. Toto Wolff (C) on 20 April 2024. McLaren's Ron Dennis (R) on 19 July 2014. Photo: Clive Mason, Song Haiyuan, Mark. (Modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

Table of Сontents:

F1 drivers are the most discussed celebrities in motorsport. However, these drivers have a support system, the principals, who shape them towards a winning environment and structure.

Top 10 best F1 team principals

After an in-depth analysis from various online sources, such as Chase Your Sport, Autosport, and the Race, here is a list of the best F1 team principals in history ranked based on their F1 World Championship titles, quantifiable criteria and other relevant metrics.

Name

F1 World Championship titles

John Cooper

4

Ken Tyrrell

5

Flavio Briatore

7

Colin Chapman

13

Christian Horner

13

Jean Todt

14

Enzo Ferrari

15

Toto Wolff

15

Frank Williams

16

Ron Dennis

17

10. John Cooper

John Cooper, Grand Prix of the Netherlands
John Cooper, Grand Prix of the Netherlands on 22 May 1961. Photo: Bernard Cahier.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 17 July 1923
  • Age: Died at 77
  • Team(s): Cooper F1 (1950-1965)
  • Grand Prix wins: 14
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 4

John Cooper was one of the best F1 team principals of his decade and the co-founder of the Copper F1 Racing. His engineering background made him curious about car designs and F1 engines.

Under his leadership, Cooper F1's squad won four F1 world championships, two FIA constructor championships, and two driver championship victories with Sir Stirling Moss and Jack Brabham.

9. Ken Tyrrell

Team principal Ken Tyrrell during practice
Team principal Ken Tyrrell during practice for the British Grand Prix on 15 July 1989. Photo: Pascal Rondeau.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 3 May 1924
  • Age: Died at 77
  • Team(s): Mantra International (1968-1969), Tyrrell F1 Racing (1970-1997)
  • Grand Prix wins: 33
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 5

Ken Tyrrell was a force to reckon with in the world of racing. He debuted in F1 as Mantra International's principal and later founded and ran the Tyrrell Formula 1 Racing.

He had his breakthrough with Jackie Stewart, who won three World Drivers Championship titles and their first constructor trophy in 1969 and 1971. In 1997, Tyrrell sold his club, and Jackie made an early retirement.

8. Flavio Briatore

Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock
Flavio Briatore walks in the paddock before the F1 Grand Prix of Bahrain on 2 March 2024. Photo: Clive Rose.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 12 April 1950
  • Age: 74 (as of May 2024)
  • Team(s): Benetton (1988-1997), Renault F1 (2000-2009)
  • Grand Prix wins: 46
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 7

Flavio Briatore is an Italian businessman and one of the most famous F1 team principals in 2024. Despite starting his career as a restaurant manager, he invested in a racing club with Virgin Airlines and became the principal of the Benetton F1 Racing in 1988.

On his squad was the legendary driver Michael Schumacher, who won his first and second championship titles under his leadership in 1994 and 1995, respectively.

7. Colin Chapman

Colin Chapman at the Grand Prix of Mexico
Colin Chapman at the Grand Prix of Mexico on 24 October 1965. Photo: Bernard Cahier. Source:
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 19 May 1928
  • Age: Died at 54
  • Team(s): Lotus Racing F1 (1958-1994)
  • Grand Prix wins: 79
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 13

Colin Chapman was one of the greatest Formula 1 team principals. He was also an inventor, engineer, and designer. Chapman founded the Lotus Car Company in 1952 and made his F1 debut in 1958.

The racing world credits him with introducing the concept of aerodynamics to reduce the ground effect on cars. Iconic drivers such as Graham Hill, Enerson Fittipaldi, and Jim Clark had their first wins under his wing.

6. Christian Horner

Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks to the crowd
Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks to the crowd on 5 April 2024. Photo: Mark Thompson.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 6 November 1973
  • Age: 50 (as of May 2024)
  • Team(s): Red Bull Racing (2005-present)
  • Grand Prix wins: 115
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 13

Christian Horner is one of the famous F1 team principals and one of the longest-serving in the current turbo hybrid era. He joined Red Bull in 2005, and through his leadership, the company has seen some of the greatest drivers in history, such as Sebastian Vettel.

When Vettel switched to Ferrari, he signed one of the sport's youngest and most promising talents, Max Verstappen, from Torro Rosso. With this move, he has bagged numerous titles in recent years, including two constructor titles in 2022 and 2023.

5. Jean Todt

Jean Todt talks to the media at the Berlaymont
Jean Todt talks to the media at the Berlaymont, the EU Commission headquarters, on 20 September 2023. Photo: Thierry Monasse.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 25 February 1946
  • Age: 78 (as of May 2024)
  • Team(s): Ferrari F1 (1994-2007)
  • Grand Prix wins: 106
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 14

Jean Todt is among the best F1 team principals, leading Ferrari to numerous victories. He joined the renowned car company in 1984, and under his guidance, he signed Binotto, Schumacher, and Ross Brawn to bring the golden era of Prancing Horse.

He brought engineers, sponsors, management, and drivers such as Schumacher, who won five consecutive titles, making a dominant era in Ferrari.

4. Enzo Ferrari

Enzo Ferrari, the founder of Ferrari
Enzo Ferrari, the founder of the Scuderia Ferrari Grand Prix motor racing team, sits at his office in 1985 in Maranello, Italy. Photo: Grand Prix Photo.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 18 February 1898
  • Age: Died at 90
  • Team(s): Scuderia Ferrari F1 (1950-1975)
  • Grand Prix wins: 264
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 15

The legendary Italian motor racing driver and entrepreneur features in the all-time list of F1 principals with the most wins. Ferrari was one of the most successful F1 teams, founded by Enzo Ferrari. The team won 5 drivers and 10 constructors titles under Enzo.

3. Toto Wolff

Mercedes AMG team principal Toto Wolff walks in the paddock
Mercedes AMG team principal Toto Wolff walks in the paddock during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix on 29 February 2024. Photo: Kym Illman.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 12 January 1972
  • Age: 52 (as of May 2024)
  • Team(s): Mercedes Petronas F1 (2013-present)
  • Grand Prix wins: 115
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 15

Toto Wolff is among the richest team principals of all time and one of the most famous F1 principals with the most wins. Under his leadership, the Silver Arrows became the most successful team in F1.

Toto ran Mercedes Petronas, which exceeded a cap budget of $1 billion and thus became one of the most profitable clubs on the current paddock. Mercedes dominated the arena during the turbo hybrid era, with Lewis Hamilton winning six F1 Championships.

2. Frank Williams

Frank Williams, Teamchef
Frank Williams, Teamchef, Williams F1 Team, formula 1 GP on 20 June 2015. Photo: Melzer.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 16 April 1942
  • Age: Died at 79
  • Team(s): Williams F1 (1969-1976), (1977-2020)
  • Grand Prix wins: 114
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 16

Motorsport ranks Frank Williams among the greatest Formula 1 team principals in history. He built his company from scratch with a limited budget to become the best in F1. Williams's club went down in history as one of the most successful after Ferrari.

With drivers like Alan Prost and Nigel Mansell and Honda-powered engines, he won numerous titles with Williams. Although his company broke down due to financial issues, his legacy in the racing world lives on.

1. Ron Dennis

Ron Dennis delivers a speech
McLaren Technology Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Ron Dennis delivers a speech on 10 February 2015. Photo: Kazuhiro Nogi.
Source: Getty Images
  • Date of birth: 1 June 1947
  • Age: 76 (as of May 2024)
  • Team(s): McLaren Racing F1 (1981-2008, 2014-2016)
  • Grand Prix wins: 138
  • F1 World Championship title(s): 17

Ron Dennis is a legend regarded as one of history's most successful and best F1 team principals. He joined McLaren when it was on the brink of bankruptcy and revived it to win a race after a 10-year drought. His winning attitude and ideology made McLaren one of the most successful British clubs in F1 history.

Frequently asked questions

F1 principles are among the richest industry professionals in the racing world. They are famous for their achievements overseeing various drivers on the racing tracks. Here are the frequently asked questions about these legends.

Who is the most successful team manager in F1?

As of 2024, Toto Wolff carries that mantle. He is a legend who led Mercedes to seven world drivers' championship victories and eight straight constructors' victories from 2014 to 2021, making him the most successful F1 manager.

Who is the longest-serving team principal in F1?

Christian Horner is the longest-serving club manager in the sport. He joined Red Bull Racing in 2005 at the age of 31 and thus made history as the youngest-ever F1 principal.

What is the best F1 team of all time?

The Ferrari squad is often considered the most successful F1 team of all time. It has won 16 Constructors Championships, 15 Drivers' Championships, and 231 race victories.

Who is the highest-paid F1 driver?

According to Front Office Sports, Max Verstappen is the highest-paid driver in F1, with a net salary of approximately $55 million. He is famous for setting the racing series records for most points and wins a year.

Has there ever been a female team principal in F1?

Monisha Kaltenborn, an Indian-born lawyer, was the first female principal in F1. Before she took the role, she worked within her squad for years as head of the legal department.

Final word

The best F1 team principals have made their names in racing history by signing some of the best drivers and ensuring effective leadership. Most principals founded and ran their own companies in the past, but in modern times, founders employ principals to run their entities.

READ ALSO: Which is the fastest F1 car ever? Find out all the details here

Sports Brief compiled a list ranking the fastest F1 cars ever. F1 is one of the world's racing sports that has gained much popularity in recent decades. Since its inception, the races have been held to determine the world's best drivers and vehicle manufacturers. Follow the link above for more details!

Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.
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