Top 10: ranking the best F1 teams in the world as of 2023

Top 10: ranking the best F1 teams in the world as of 2023

Helix Odhiambo
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:00 PM

Formula One is considered the most competitive and lucrative racing championship globally. The sport features some of the fastest cars racing on tracks and has millions of followers worldwide. So, which are the best F1 teams in history? Let us find out below.

The best F1 teams in the world
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

The history of Formula One dates back to 1950 when the first world championship was held in the UK. Since then, over 100 teams have built cars to race in the competition. However, only 15 have won at least one championship. So, which F1 team is the best?

Best F1 teams of all time

What is the most famous F1 team? Mercedes, Red Bull or Ferrari? We have ranked the best F1 teams based on their titles, and total race wins as of April 2022.

10. Benetton

Best F1 teams in 2022
Benetton driver Giancarlo Fisichella of Italy in action during the German Formula One Grand Prix held at Hockenheim, Germany, on 29 July, 2001. Photo: Clive Mason
Source: Getty Images

Benetton won the 1995 Formula One Constructors' Championship with Michael Schumacher and Johnny Herbert. However, Benetton was sold to Renault in 2000.

Profile summary

  • Name: Benetton Formula
  • Active years: 1986-2001
  • Base: Oxfordshire, UK
  • Engines: BMW, Ford, Renault, Playlife
  • Previous owners: Benetton family
  • Current owners: Renault
  • Races started: 260
  • Victories: 27
  • Constructors' titles: 1 (1995)
  • Driver Championships: 2 (1994, 1995)

9. Renault

Best F1 teams of all time
Renault F1 Team launched with Daniel Ricciardo (right) and Esteban Ocon before the 2020 Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. Photo: Chris Putnam
Source: Getty Images

Renault has two Constructors' titles despite being in and out of Formula One. It was re-branded to Alpine in 2021.

Profile summary

  • Name: Renault
  • Founded: 1977
  • Base: Oxfordshire, UK
  • Current name: Alpine
  • Engine: Renault
  • Owners: Groupe Renault
  • Races started: 383
  • Victories: 35
  • Constructors' titles: 2 (2005, 2006)
  • Driver Championships: 2 (2005, 2006)

8. Brabham

Best F1 teams right now
Dan Gurney races towards the finish line to clinch Brabham's first-ever F1 victory. Photo: @F1
Source: Twitter

The car was founded by Jack Brabham and Ron Tauranac in 1960. Jack won the championship in 1966 and is the first and only driver to win the tournament with a car of his brand.

Profile summary

  • Name: Brabham
  • Founded: 1962
  • Base: Surrey, UK
  • Founders: Jack Brabham, Ron Tauranac
  • Engine: Brabham
  • Races started: 394
  • Victories: 35
  • Constructors' titles: 2 (1966, 1967)
  • Driver Championships: 4 (1966, 1967, 1981, 1983)

7. Cooper

What is the most famous F1 team?
John Surtees of the Cooper works team drives a Maserati V12 powered Cooper T81 to a third-place finish in October 1996. The car was famous for its rear engine. Photo: Jerry Titus
Source: Getty Images

Founded by Charles and his son John Cooper, the Cooper works team won two constructors' titles in 1959 and 1960, becoming the first side to defend its crown. Cooper was also the first team to win the world championship with a rear-engine car.

Profile summary

  • Name: Cooper
  • Owned by: Cooper Car Company
  • Founded: 1946
  • Base: Surrey, UK
  • Founders: Charles Cooper, John Cooper
  • Base: UK
  • Engines: Bristol, Climax, Maserati, BRM
  • Races started: 129
  • Victories: 16
  • Constructors' titles: 2 (1959, 1960)
  • Driver Championships: 2 (1959, 1960)

6. Red Bull

Which F1 team is the best?
Red Bull Racing's Mexican driver Sergio Perez during the second practice session in Imola, Italy, on 23 April 2022, ahead of the Formula One Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Photo: Andrej Isakovic
Source: Getty Images

Red Bull bought the Jaguar F1 outfit from Ford in late 2004 and made its Formula One debut in 2005. It secured its first of four world championships in 2010. Red Bull ranks top among the best F1 teams in 2023, overtaking Ferrari, Mercedes, and McLaren, respectively.

Profile summary

  • Name: Oracle Red Bull Racing
  • Founded: 2004
  • Base: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom
  • Founder: Dietrich Mateschitz
  • Engine: Red Bull Powertrain
  • Races started: 328
  • Victories: 76
  • Constructors' titles: 4 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013)
  • Driver Championships: 5 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2021)

5. Lotus

Best F1 teams to support
Mechanics work on the car of the Lotus F1 Team's driver Romain Grosjean, during the third practice session in Abu Dhabi on 28 November 2015, ahead of the Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix. Photo: Tom Gandolfini
Source: Getty Images

Lotus was one of the leading outfits of the 1960s and 1970s. It is among the most successful car brands in F1 history, having won seven world championship titles. However, Lotus was sold to Renault in 2015.

Profile summary

  • Name: Lotus
  • Founded: 1958
  • Base: Oxfordshire, UK
  • Founder: Colin Chapman
  • Engines: Renault, Mercedes, Honda, Coventry, Maserati, Ford, Lamborghini
  • Races started: 493
  • Victories: 79
  • Constructors' titles: 7 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, 1978)
  • Driver Championships: 6 (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1978)

4. Mercedes

Best F1 teams of all time
Lewis Hamilton and the Mercedes AMG F1 team during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on 10 April 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: Clay Cross
Source: Getty Images

Mercedes made its Formula One debut in 1954 and has since established itself among the best F1 teams to support. It has eight world championship titles and nine Drivers' titles.

Profile summary

  • Name: Mercedes
  • Founded: 1954
  • Base: Brackley, UK
  • Founder: Alfred Neubauer
  • Engines: Mercedes
  • Races started: 252
  • Victories: 124
  • Constructors' titles: 8 (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021)
  • Driver Championships: 9 (1954, 1955, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)

Who are the top 3 teams in F1?

McLaren, Williams Racing, and Ferrari are the leading Formula One teams in the sport's history, but which F1 team is the best? Find out below.

3. McLaren

Best F1 teams
Carlos Sainz of Spain drives the (55) McLaren F1, MCL35 Renault, during Day 3 of F1 Winter Testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 28 February 2020, in Barcelona, Spain. Photo: Mark Thompson
Source: Getty Images

The McLaren outfit was founded in 1963 and made its F1 debut at the Monaco Grand Prix in 1966. It has racked up eight championship titles.

Profile summary

  • Name: McLaren
  • Founded: 1963
  • Base: Surrey, UK
  • Founder: Bruce McLaren
  • Engines: Mercedes
  • Races started: 905
  • Victories: 183
  • Constructors' titles: 8 (1974, 1984, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998)
  • Driver Championships: 12 (1974, 1976, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1998, 1999, 2008)

2. Williams

Who are the top 3 teams in F1?
Williams Racing FW44 Mercedes-AMG F1 M13 during the 2022 F1 Rolex Gran Premio Del Made in Italy. Photo: Alessio Morgese
Source: Getty Images

Founded in Grove in Oxfordshire, Williams dominated F1 in the 1990s. It has nine Constructors' titles and seven Driver titles. So, which is the best F1 team ever? Buckle up for the reveal.

Profile summary

  • Name: Williams
  • Founded: 1977
  • Base: Oxfordshire, UK
  • Founders: Frank Williams, Patrick Head
  • Engines: Mercedes
  • Races started: 769
  • Victories: 114
  • Constructors' titles: 9 (1980, 1981, 1986, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 1997)
  • Driver Championships: 7 (1980, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997)

1. Ferrari

Which is the best F1 team ever?
Charles Leclerc of Monaco in action on the track in his Ferrari, during the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on 10 April 2022, in Melbourne, Australia. Photo: TPN
Source: Getty Images

Ferrari is the most successful F1 team in history. It has accumulated 16 Constructors' titles and 15 Driver titles in the sport.

The Maranello-based outfit is also among the best F1 teams right now, that many motorsport fans look forward to watching every year. It is the only side to reach 1,000 starts in the competition.

Profile summary

  • Name: Ferrari
  • Founded: 1947
  • Base: Maranello, Italy
  • Founder: Enzo Ferrari
  • Engines: Jaguar, De Tomas, Ferrari
  • Races started: 1033
  • Victories: 240
  • Constructors' titles: 16 (1961, 1964, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1982, 1983, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008)
  • Driver Championships: 15 (1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1964, 1975, 1977, 1979, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007)

Alpine, Aston Martin, and AlphaTauri may have missed out on our list of best F1 teams ever, but they are among the top-ranked teams in 2023. However, it may not take long before one wins a championship title.

READ ALSO: Ranking the 10 richest F1 drivers in the world as of 2022

Sportsbrief.com also ranked the top 10 wealthiest F1 drivers globally, highlighting their net worth and achievements. The legendary Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso are among the richest drivers in the racing competition.

They have made millions of dollars from their Formula One career and won multiple titles with their teams. Read on to learn more about them and other wealthy drivers here!

Authors
Helix Odhiambo photo
Helix Odhiambo
Helix Odhiambo is an award-winning Kenyan journalist and content creator with over 6 years of experience. In 2016, he won the Goal Blaze Correspondent Award for young writers.