While for a regular fan of the sport, most of the cars found on the track might look the same to you, an avid fan will know what differentiates the performance of each from the other. The introduction of new technologies, innovative designs, and improvised engines were all it took to give the audience members a show they would always remember.
While most know about the rivalry between Mercedes and Ferrari and how this has led them to make some of the fastest and meanest cars on track, there are some other mentions people often forget. It is not an easy task to pick out only five out of a hundred well-made and competent cars, but there are some that deserve a mention and have changed the way the F1 industry works altogether.
First appearing in the 1978 season, the Brabham group made quite a respectable impression on the F1 racing enthusiasts with the BT46. It all started with the designer Gordon Murray making several improvised changes to the basic blueprint of an F1 car. However, while the design was solid, the consultant engineer, David Cox, feared it might show some overheating issues on the track.
This was when the cooling system of the car was altered from a traditional water and oil system to Flat Panel Heat Exchangers. This made all the difference. However, there were some issues with the fitting of these panels.
To solve this, Cox was called to the Brabham factory, where he removed the panels totally and replaced them with a nose-mounted radiator. Powered with a flat 12-Alfa Romeo engine, this car went on to win the Grand Prix, making Brabham third in the Constructors Championship.
You might have all heard of the racing legend Michael Schumacher and his Ferrari but seldom know about his days with Benetton before signing to the luxury sports car brand. During the 1994 seasons, he was trying to defend his title at the World Driver Championship for the first time, and he did an excellent job with the help of the Benetton B195.
The manufacturers decided to go with a 3000 cc Renault RS7 V10 engine for this car. However, to fit this, certain structural changes were required when designers Ross Brawn and Rory Bryne put their experience to use. By reducing the engine size to 3 litres and adding smaller wings, this car went on to win the Constructors Championship for that season and 11 other races out of the 17 it drove.
While the aforementioned cars are known for their speed, this one is the oldest F1 car ever. During the preliminary years of Formula One, rules were subject to change quite often. Similarly, in 1952, FIA stated that the Driver's World championship would run as per Formula 2 specifications.
This put other manufacturers in a haze, while Ferrari was the only one with a suitable car. With a front-mounted four-cylinder Lempredi engine, the 500 had the best weight distribution in the league. This car helped Alberto Ascari win seven consecutive Grand Prix races, which was a record broken by Sebastian Vettel in 2013.
While Honda was planning to feature in the 2009 F1 Championship, they did not have an owner by then and had to withdraw from it in 2008. Although the development of the car continued, they were still looking for an owner when Ross Brawn purchased the team, hence the name.
This might not have been the best-looking car, but it was in the news for both good and bad reasons. The engineers had to rush its making and ended up adding a double-decker diffuser. This decision was not welcomed by other participants like Red Bull and Ferrari. However, the verdict ruled out the possibility of any illegal practices. This car, however, went on to win more than 7 out of the 17 races it had been a part of, and won the Constructors Championship.
This was the car that helped Sebastian Vettel break the seven consecutive wins record of Alberto Ascari in 2013. This car is often known to be the best racing car and was the last recipient to win the Championship with a V8 and naturally aspirated engine. Vettel won 9 out of 9 Grand Prix titles, etching his name in the history of F1 racing and making this car one of the best ones of all time.
