The Best F1 Teams That No Longer Exist

Formula One racing is one of the most popular and competitive motorsports in the world. Formula 1 racing has been around for decades and over the years, many teams have come and gone. Some of these teams were incredibly successful and had an undeniable impact on the sport. 

In this blog post, we will be taking a look at some of the best F1 teams that no longer exist, and the impact they had on the sport. We’ll explore their histories, memorable moments, and why they eventually ceased to exist. From the Benetton to the much-loved Tyrrell, these teams made their mark in Formula One and will forever be remembered.

1. Benetton

Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, participated in Formula One from 1986 through 2001. The Benetton Formula One team was one of the most successful F1 teams of its time, winning two driver’s titles in the 1990s. The Benetton family, who were owners of the Italian clothing company Benetton Group, purchased the Toleman team in 1986.

Then Renault purchased the team in 2000, but it competed as Benetton in 2000 and 2001. In 2002, the team is known as Renault. From 1988 to 1998, Alessandro Benetton headed the Benetton Formula team.

In 1994, they won their first title with Michael Schumacher as their driver. During their time in F1, they had a total of 27 race victories and 102 podium finishes. They continued to race until 2001 when they withdrew from Formula One. Despite their brief run in F1, Benetton was one of the most successful teams during the 1990s and will always be remembered for their success.

2. Lotus

Lotus F1 Team competed in Formula One as a British team. Lotus was the name under which the former Renault team based at Enstone, Oxfordshire, competed from 2012 until 2015. Genii Capital owned the majority of the Lotus F1 Team.

Powered by Group Lotus as its branding partner, Lotus F1 has been known as Lotus F1. In their first season under the Lotus title, the team achieved a race victory and fourth place overall. 

On 18 December 2015, Renault purchased the team back. After Renault announced its decision to compete under the Renault Sport Formula One Team name on 3 February 2016, the Lotus F1 Team name was officially dropped.

As one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history, Lotus will always have a special place in the hearts of racing fans. While the team no longer exists, its legacy will continue to live on.

3. Tyrrell

The Tyrrell F1 Team was a legendary racing team that competed in Formula One from 1970 to 1998. Founded by the late Ken Tyrrell, the team won one constructors’ championship and two drivers’ championships in its 28-year tenure in the sport.

Despite their success, Tyrrell’s glory days were short-lived. The team failed to finish higher than fourth in the standings during its last four years of existence, and in 1998 they merged with BAR to form BAR-Honda. The team was officially dissolved at the end of the 1999 season when Honda purchased the BAR team.

Though the Tyrrell name no longer exists on the Formula One grid, its legacy still lives on through its countless achievements. Its cars were synonymous with classic F1 styling and were considered ahead of their time in terms of technology and engineering. Even though Tyrrell is gone, its place in F1 history will never be forgotten.

4. BMW Sauber

The BMW Sauber F1 Team was a partnership between the German automobile manufacturer, BMW, and the Swiss racing team, Sauber in 2005. It competed in Formula One from 2006 until 2009. During its time in the sport, the team earned a reputation as a reliable midfield runner, but they never quite managed to reach the top echelons of the sport.

Despite failing to win any races, the team did manage to score eight podiums and four pole positions. They achieved their best result at the 2008 Canadian Grand Prix, where Robert Kubica finished second. The team also made history that year by becoming the first ever to run with a KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System).

Sadly, BMW’s financial struggles at the end of 2008 resulted in them pulling out of Formula One at the end of the season, thus ending the BMW Sauber partnership. Peter Sauber, the team’s founder, bought the team back from BMW at the end of 2009 after BMW announced its withdrawal from Formula One. It will always be remembered as one of the best teams to ever grace the Formula One grid.

5. Toyota

Formula 1 was Toyota’s first season in 2002. As the largest car manufacturer in the world and having one of the largest budgets in the sport, expectations were high, however, they never achieved any victories in eight seasons.

Throughout their tenure, Toyota had several notable drivers, such as former World Champions Jarno Trulli, Ralf Schumacher, and Fernando Alonso. They also had drivers like Olivier Panis, Cristiano da Matta, Timo Glock, and Kamui Kobayashi.

It was a very uncompetitive first three seasons for the team. Jarno Trulli scored three podiums in 2005, while Ralf Schumacher scored two, but they finished fifth in the constructors’ championship. Despite their best efforts, they could not overcome this season.

Unfortunately, the global recession hit Toyota hard and they decided to end their F1 program in 2009. Despite this, they will always remain a fond memory of one of the top F1 teams that no longer exist.