The Most Beautiful F1 Car Ever, Ranked

Voting rules: Choose the car you think is the most beautiful!

Updated on May 1, 2024 06:18

The sheer excitement of Formula 1 is not only about the lightning-fast speeds and daring maneuvers but also about the aesthetics of the machines that streak across the race tracks. Each season brings with it a new lineup of cars that are a blend of advanced engineering and artistic design, where beauty is not just an afterthought but a consideration that affects both fans and designers alike. This interactive polling environment allows enthusiasts to voice their opinions on which F1 car models stand out as the pinnacle of automotive beauty. By casting your vote, you contribute to a collective appreciation of design and innovation, helping highlight those cars that have left an indelible mark on the world of motorsport through their visual appeal and revolutionary design.

What Is the Most Beautiful F1 Car Ever?

1

32
votes
Gillfoto from Juneau, Alaska, United States · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ferrari 312T

Scuderia Ferrari

The Ferrari 312T is widely considered one of the most beautiful F1 cars ever made. Its sleek design, low nose, and prominent air intakes make it a timeless classic.
The Ferrari 312T is considered one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever created. It was designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari, the Italian racing team, under the direction of Mauro Forghieri. The 312T made its debut in the 1975 Formula 1 season and achieved great success throughout its racing career.

Engine: Flat-12, naturally aspirated

Displacement: 3.0 liters

Power Output: 500+ horsepower

Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox

Weight: 585 kg (1,290 lbs)
2

29
votes
Deep silence (Mikaël Restoux) · CC BY-SA 3.0

Lotus 49

Colin Chapman

The Lotus 49 is another iconic F1 car that is praised for its elegant design. The car's low-slung body, long nose, and clean lines make it a standout in any era.
The Lotus 49 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Formula One cars ever created. It was designed by renowned British engineer Colin Chapman and his team at Lotus in the 1960s. The car made its debut in the 1967 Formula One season and remained competitive until 1970.

Engine: Ford-Cosworth DFV 3.0L V8

Power: Approximately 408 horsepower

Weight: Approximately 515 kilograms

Transmission: Hewland 5-speed manual gearbox

Chassis: Monocoque construction with aluminum panels
3

33
votes
Paul Lannuier from Sussex, NJ, USA · CC BY-SA 2.0

McLaren MP4/4

McLaren Racing

The McLaren MP4/4 is often cited as one of the most dominant F1 cars of all time, but it's also one of the most beautiful. The car's sleek, all-black design and low-slung body give it a menacing yet elegant look.
The McLaren MP4/4 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever created. It competed during the 1988 F1 season and achieved remarkable success, winning 15 out of 16 races and securing both the drivers' and constructors' championships.

Chassis: Carbon fiber and aluminum honeycomb composite

Engine: Honda RA168E, 1.5 L V6 turbocharged

Power: Estimated 900 bhp (670 kW)

Transmission: 6-speed manual

Weight: 540 kg (1,190 lb)
McLaren MP4/4 in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most successful F1 car
4

17
votes
edvvc · CC BY 2.0

Brabham BT46B

Gordon Murray

The Brabham BT46B is a unique F1 car that featured a massive fan at the back to enhance downforce. But it's also a beautiful car, with a low nose, curving body, and distinctive red and white livery.
The Brabham BT46B, also known as the 'Fan Car', is a legendary Formula 1 car that was designed by Gordon Murray for the Brabham team. It was unveiled in 1978 and made its debut at the Swedish Grand Prix. The BT46B was a unique and innovative design that featured a large fan at the back of the car, which was intended to enhance its performance through ground effect aerodynamics. The concept behind this design was to effectively suck the car onto the track, generating significant downforce. While it was highly controversial, the BT46B proved to be extremely successful during its brief time in competition.

Car type: Formula 1

Year of debut: 1978

Engine: Alfa Romeo flat-12

Displacement: 3.0 L

Power: 520 bhp
5

23
votes
Iwao from Tokyo, Japan · CC BY 2.0

Williams FW14B

Adrian Newey

The Williams FW14B is another dominant F1 car that also happens to be stunningly beautiful. Its sleek, aerodynamic body and striking blue and white livery make it a fan favorite.
The Williams FW14B is considered one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever built. It was designed and created by Adrian Newey, a renowned Formula 1 designer known for his technical expertise. The FW14B was used by the Williams team during the 1992 Formula 1 season and has left a lasting impact on the racing world.

Engine: Renault RS4 3.5L V10

Max power: 700+ bhp

Weight: 505 kg

Transmission: Williams 6-speed semi-automatic

Brakes: Carbon discs and pads
Williams FW14B in other rankings
- Position 3 of 10 in Most successful F1 car
6

6
votes
Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 3.0 de

Lotus 72

The Lotus 72 is a classic F1 car that is still admired for its elegant design. The car's wedge shape, low nose, and clean lines make it an icon of 1970s F1 racing.
The Lotus 72 is widely considered one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever created. Designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe, it made its debut in 1970 and remained competitive until 1975. The iconic black and gold livery added to its aesthetic appeal.

Chassis: Aluminum monocoque

Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8

Power: 400-450 horsepower

Transmission: Hewland FG400 5-speed manual

Weight: 550 kg (1,213 lbs)
Lotus 72 in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most successful F1 car
- Position 7 of 10 in Most successful race car of all time
7

4
votes
Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Tyrrell P34

Derek Gardner

The Tyrrell P34 is famous for its unique six-wheeled design, but it's also a beautiful car with a low, curving body and distinctive blue and white livery.
The Tyrrell P34, also known as the 'six-wheeler,' is a unique and iconic Formula 1 car that was designed by Derek Gardner. It was notably different from other cars of its time due to its unusual six-wheel configuration. The P34 made its debut in 1976 and was used by the Tyrrell Racing Organization in the Formula 1 season. The car's distinctive feature was its four small front wheels, which aimed to improve aerodynamics and increase traction.

Debut: 1976

Configuration: 6 wheels (4 front, 2 rear)

Engine: 3.0L naturally aspirated V8

Power: Approximately 470 bhp

Transmission: 6-speed manual
8

15
votes
Rick Dikeman · CC BY-SA 3.0

Ferrari F2004

Ferrari

The Ferrari F2004 is a modern classic that is praised for its sleek, aerodynamic design. The car's low, wide body and sharp lines make it one of the most beautiful F1 cars of the 21st century.
The Ferrari F2004 is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful Formula 1 cars ever created. It was a dominant car that competed in the 2004 Formula One season, helping Ferrari secure the Constructors' Championship and Michael Schumacher win his seventh World Drivers' Championship.

Engine: Ferrari Tipo 053 3.0L V10

Power Output: 900 bhp

Transmission: Semi-automatic 7-speed gearbox

Weight: 605 kg (including driver)

Fuel: Shell V-Power
Ferrari F2004 in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most successful F1 car
9

12
votes
Lothar Spurzem · CC BY-SA 2.0 de

Mercedes-Benz W196

The Mercedes-Benz W196 is a classic F1 car that is still admired for its elegant design. The car's long, low body and distinctive silver livery make it a standout in any era.
The Mercedes-Benz W196 is a historic Formula 1 car that was designed and manufactured by Mercedes-Benz for the 1954 and 1955 racing seasons. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful F1 cars ever created, with its sleek and aerodynamic design.

Engine: Inline 8-cylinder, 2.5-liter displacement

Power Output: Around 257 horsepower

Transmission: 5-speed manual gearbox

Weight: Approximately 660 kilograms (1455 pounds)

Suspension: Independent suspension with coil springs
Mercedes-Benz W196 in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most successful race car of all time
10

10
votes
Gerald Swan · CC BY-SA 3.0

McLaren M23

McLaren Racing

The McLaren M23 is a classic F1 car that is praised for its simple, elegant design. The car's low, curving body and distinctive orange and white livery make it an icon of 1970s F1 racing.
The McLaren M23 is a legendary Formula One car that was produced by McLaren Racing in the 1970s. It is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful and successful cars in the history of F1. The M23 made its debut in the 1973 season and continued to race until 1978, winning multiple races and championships during its active years.

Brakes: Disc brakes

Engine: Ford Cosworth DFV V8 2,993 cc

Power: 480-525 bhp (depending on configuration)

Transmission: Hewland FG400 5-speed manual

Weight: 590 kg (1,300 lb)

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Ranking factors for beautiful car

Aesthetics

The overall design and visual appeal of the car, including its lines, curves, and paint job.
Proportions

How well the various elements of the car - wheels, chassis, nose, wings, etc. - are sized and positioned relative to each other for both form and function.
Innovation

How cutting-edge or groundbreaking the car's design and engineering are, especially in comparison to its contemporaries.
Performance

While not directly related to beauty, a car's racing success and on-track performance can contribute to its overall allure and desirability.
Iconic or Historic Status

Cars that were driven by legendary drivers, featured in memorable races, or had a significant impact on the sport's development tend to be more highly regarded for their beauty.
Timelessness

How well the car's design has aged and whether it remains aesthetically appealing despite the passage of time.
Originality

A car that stands out from its competitors and contributes a unique element to the sport's visual landscape will often be considered more beautiful.
Balance

The overall harmony and balance of the car's various design elements, both visually and functionally.
Cleanliness

Minimalist and uncluttered design that allows the car's natural beauty to shine through without excessive or unnecessary elements.
Emotional Connection

A beautiful F1 car often stirs a sense of emotion or nostalgia, making it even more appealing overall.

About this ranking

This is a community-based ranking of the most beautiful F1 car ever. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or car is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!

Statistics

2150 views
171 votes
10 ranked items

Voting Rules

A participant may cast an up or down vote for each car once every 24 hours. The rank of each car is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.

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More information on most beautiful f1 car ever

The world of Formula One has always been a fascinating spectacle, not just for the high-speed races, but also for the incredible designs of the F1 cars. Over the years, we have seen some of the most beautiful and iconic F1 cars that have left a lasting impression on the minds of racing enthusiasts. From the classic curves of the Ferrari 312T to the sleek and aerodynamic design of the McLaren MP4/4, there have been some truly remarkable F1 cars that have captured our hearts. So, what is the most beautiful F1 car ever? Let's take a closer look at some of the contenders and decide for ourselves.