F1
From raw power in the 1950s to the hybrid technology of today, the evolution of F1 cars reflects innovation and speed. Learn how each decade shaped the future of motorsport and performance vehicles.
Formula 1 cars are where sports meet science, and every improvement advances performance. Just ask Max Verstappen, who knows firsthand the importance of every small innovation in winning championships. The night before the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix, Verstappen and his team added some final touches to his car to increase his chances of placing — and the last-minute changes paid off.
“I am very happy with second [place]... Huge credit goes to the team for all of their hard work; they came up with some great solutions; [they] made a lot of changes to the car overnight and it made a huge difference,” Verstappen said. “The car was a lot nicer to drive, we could attack the corners a bit more, and we really maximized our performance.”
Verstappen and his team understand that even the slightest adjustments can mean the difference between placing and losing. F1 engineers, like those in Verstappen’s team, have experimented with car design throughout the history of F1 in hopes of improving aerodynamics and speed. That’s because the evolution of F1 cars has been a relentless pursuit of perfection. Learn how these magnificent machines have evolved through the decades.
01
Early days (1950s-1960s)
F1 origins
The first rumblings of Formula 1 racing technically date back to the 1890s, when French road racing gained a ton of popularity during the Edwardian years. However, the world of competitive motorsports underwent several phases before F1 hit the track. In 1901, the first “Grand Prix” race took place, and it would take a few more decades for F1 to become a formal racing discipline. The Federation Internationale de I’Automobile (FIA) standardized racing rules in 1946, but modern F1 didn’t officially kick off until 1950.
Historic beginnings
The name “Formula 1,” originally known as “Formula A,” refers to the rules each participant must follow. These regulations cover any technical specification, or “formula,” a driver must adhere to in their car design, including aerodynamics, weight, and engine capacity. The first F1 race took place at Pau in southwest France in 1950, and the demand for F1 events only grew from there. A month later, the first world championship took place at Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom.
Early F1 cars were far from the aerodynamic beasts of today. At the time, the lack of aerodynamic enhancements often impacted a driver’s track navigation. Drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Stirling Moss frequently experienced accidents while maneuvering through tricky circuits. (These drivers still managed to successfully navigate these circuits on multiple occasions, though, with Fangio winning five titles in the ‘50s.)
F1 early changes
The year 1958 marked a significant turning point in F1, starting with the introduction of F1’s first major racing regulations. Track size was reduced from approximately 300 to 200 miles, and racers were required to use Avgas fuel. It was also the first year in which a winning car was designed with its engine placed behind the racer’s seat. The car was a Cooper driven by Moss during the Argentine Grand Prix.
In 1961, regulators tried to drop speeds on the track by requiring the engines to be 1.5-liter and non-supercharged. This decision was reversed five years later; by 1966, F1 racers were allowed to use 3-liter engines.
The 1960s also introduced the Lotus Era to F1. The British Lotus F1 team built a more reliable engine by replacing their car’s traditional spaceframe with an aluminum sheet monocoque chassis. Jim Clark won the title twice within three years because of this upgrade.
The introduction of wings in the late 1960s, also known as aerofoils, was inspired by Jim Hall’s Can-Am Chaparral. Wings create downforce, which helps cars with traction and stability on the road. This innovation also marked the end of the Lotus Era. Since cars could reach faster speeds thanks to the wings, it seemed as though no other car could compete.
02
1970s-1980s
The start of aerodynamics
By the 1970s, F1 entered the age of aerodynamics. The Lotus team made a comeback because they embraced a new design with a nose “shovel” alongside the then-recently-introduced wings. The car itself won five championships under multiple drivers.
Ferrari, with drivers Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, emerged at the F1 forefront in 1975. These racers drove a flat-12 powered 312T. Approximately a year later, airboxes were introduced behind F1 vehicle cockpits, which now allowed airflow to the engine. This marked the start of F1 ground effects, which allowed the car to move closer to the track and increase energy consumption.
F1 engineers continued toying with different aerodynamic designs that brought the car closer to the ground in a process called “ground effect optimization.” It took some trial and error to get it right. Initially, the cars were too low and unable to handle any road bumps or curbs. The addition of Venturi tunnels and sleeker bodywork improved track grip and cornering speeds. The Venturi tunnels allow air to accelerate through areas carved into the car’s floor for improved downforce.
By the early 1980s, every team was using a ground-effect optimized car. However, these advancements came with an increased risk of accidents. In 1982, ground effects were banned.
A turbocharge breakthrough
Renault created the first-ever turbocharged F1 car, the RS01, driven by Jean-Pierre Jabouille. Turbo lag was the driving force behind these new turbocharged engines, a mechanism that delays the driver’s acceleration. While the engine takes time to produce exhaust gas, drivers can still gain remarkable speeds with a little more force on the gas pedal.
Turbo engine development was slow to start, as 11 teams were still using high-performance Cosworth engines. But in 1983, turbocharged engines began to take the lead after Nelson Piquet, driving a turbocharged BMW powerplant, won the world championship. At the same time, McLaren introduced the TAG-Porsche engine, which would make great strides the following season. A new McLaren MP4/2 car with the TAG turbo ended up winning 12 of 16 races in the 1984 season, further showcasing the power of these engines.
The later 1980s seasons saw a feud rise between legends Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost with their on-track clashes. One of the most infamous moments between the two drivers happened when Senna passed Prost on the final lap at the Monaco Grand Prix, leading to accusations of a stolen win. Turbochargers were then banned in the late 1980s for their unpredictable power surges. Turbo was replaced by naturally aspirated 3.5-liter engines after the ban.
03
1990s-2000s
F1 in the 1990s was largely defined by a rise in electronics use in cars. The first semi-automatic gearbox combined with traction control in the FW14 is largely responsible for bringing the digital age to F1. The gearbox, also called the transmission, lets the driver easily transfer energy to help speed up or slow down the car.
But Senna continued to win in the McLaren-Honda MP4/6, as the FW14 couldn’t catch up to him. Later, Nigel Mansell’s FW14B proved active suspension could adapt to the track, making it a newer, better option for F1 drivers. Mansell’s FW14B won multiple races thanks to these design improvements.
Computer-aided cars became central to modern F1 designs — but this didn’t last long. The FIA banned active suspension and other automatic car adjustment mechanisms in the early ‘90s. The revised FIA regulations caused more rivalry between the drivers because they now had more of an even playing field without computer-aided help. Designers had to meet new specifications before races, which caused the paddock to miss winter testing because of that tight timeframe. It became difficult for drivers to fully control the car, which often led to collisions.
The main focus of the 1997 season was the introduction of refueling. This caused some drama because some fans claimed F1 lost the racing aspect of drivers passing one another when a pit stop was introduced.
Team Tyrrell l of the Tyrrell Racing Organisation also added “X-Wings” to their car in 1997. These controversial sidepod-mounted winglets, however, failed to steal the show because of their unflattering appearance. They were banned a year later.
Michael Schumacher became the star of the 2000 season, the year he snagged five consecutive titles with the Scuderia Ferrari.
By the late 2000s, technology had once again taken the wheel at the forefront of F1 design. The Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), introduced in 2009, allowed drivers to convert braking energy into additional power. Adjustable front and rear wings were also installed to improve aerodynamics.
04
2010s-present
F1 technology advancements have been on the rise in the current era of racing. The year 2011 introduced the Drag Reduction System, which gives drivers overtaking advantages.
Turbochargers returned in 2014 as hybrids. These hybrid engines focus on environmental considerations as they combine a turbocharged engine with energy recovery systems (ERS). ERS includes kinetic recovery (ERS-K) and heat recovery (ERS-H). This makes F1 more sustainable and closer to road car technology (even though F1 vehicles can produce over 1,000 horsepower).
The latest technologies have made their way into the F1 universe. Engineers are now 3D printing car and engine parts to speed up the research and development process. Augmented reality (AR) helps drivers navigate the track before a race. Artificial intelligence (AI) is being put to use as well, applying the technology to examine car performance and make improvements to aerodynamics.
05
The future of F1 cars
There’s no limit to how far F1 engineering can push the boundaries of vehicle performance. Red Bull’s RB20 is a perfect example, with a hydraulic power shift and eight-speed gearbox under the hood.
FIA has some big plans for F1 in 2026. Cars are expected to become 30kg lighter, with 300% more battery power divided between internal combustion and electric power. The introduction of Manual Override Mode and more electrical power is set to bring increased overtaking into the races as well.
By 2030, F1 aims to achieve net zero emissions. Formula One engineering innovations will need to be on top of their game to achieve this goal. Thankfully, they already use 10% ethanol biofuel, with a goal to run cars on 100% sustainable fuel.
Historic F1 cars and advancements
The evolution of motorsport vehicles and historical F1 cars is a testament to human ingenuity and the relentless pursuit of performance. From the early days of raw power to the high-tech, hybrid-powered machines, F1 continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in motorsport engineering. With new technologies on the horizon, the future promises even more thrilling advancements, ensuring F1 cars remain at the pinnacle of competition and speed.
