Formula One was first defined in 1946 by the Commission Sportive Internationale (CSI) of the FIA, forerunner of FISA, as the premier single-seater racing category in worldwide motorsport to become effective in 1947. This new "International Formula" was initially known variously as Formula A, Formula I, or Formula 1 with the corresponding "Voiturette" formula being titled Formula B, Formula II, or Formula 2. When the 500cc formula was internationally recognised as Formula 3 in 1950 it was never titled as "Formula C" so the three International Formulae were then "officially" titled Formula 1, Formula 2 and Formula 3.
Italian and Mercedes front-engine cars (1950–1957)
The early years of Formula One (1950-1957) saw Italian teams like Alfa Romeo and Ferrari dominate. Alfa Romeo won every race in 1950, and Nino Farina and Juan Manuel Fangio secured championships. Ferrari challenged with a new 375 model. Financial constraints led Alfa Romeo to withdraw. Ferrari's Alberto Ascari won in 1952 and 1953. Formula Two regulations were briefly adopted due to Ferrari's dominance.
In 1954, Formula One regulations returned, attracting Lancia and Mercedes-Benz. Fangio drove for Mercedes, dominating in 1954 and 1955, but a Le Mans tragedy led to Mercedes' exit for forty years. Fangio won in 1956 with Maserati and secured his fifth championship in 1957. Ferrari introduced the V6 "Dino" engine in 1957. Mike Hawthorn became the 1958 champion but died the following winter.
The rear-mid engine revolution (1958–1961)
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, Formula One underwent major changes, introducing the International Cup for F1 Manufacturers in 1958. This period marked the shift to mid-engined cars, with notable champions like Mike Hawthorn. The era saw Formula One evolve into a competitive landscape, notably in 1961 when Ferrari dominated with 1.5-litre, non-supercharged engines, resulting in Phil Hill winning the title. Tragedy struck at Monza, and races like the Pau Grand Prix continued beyond the World Championship.
Anglophone drivers and 1.5-litre engines (1962–1967)
In 1962, Graham Hill won with Lotus, paving the way for Jim Clark's dominance in 1963 and 1965. Jack Brabham triumphed in 1966 with a Repco V8, and the Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 reshaped Formula One in 1967. Overseas races expanded, and British drivers, like Hill and Clark, dominated the 1960s scene.
DFV engine, 12-cylinder engines, and the arrival of sponsorship, safety, and aerodynamics (1968–1976)
1968 saw Lotus losing DFV exclusivity and McLaren's entry. Jim Clark's tragic death occurred in 1968. Lotus won titles in 1968. 1969 focused on safety and Matra's structural fuel tanks. In 1970, Lotus dominated with Jochen Rindt posthumously winning. Safety concerns persisted, leading to the withdrawal of Tyrrell in 1973.
Ground-effect era (1977–1982)
1977-79: Lotus innovates with ground effect; Renault introduces turbo engines; Michelin challenges Goodyear dominance. Brabham's fan car and James Hunt's retirement in 1978. Ligier, Williams, Ferrari surpass Lotus in 1979. Renault achieves first turbo engine victory. FISA–FOCA war over ground effect erupts. Jody Scheckter wins title for Ferrari in 1979. 1980-83: Titles for Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, and Nelson Piquet. Safety concerns with Patrick Depailler and Gilles Villeneuve's deaths. McLaren pioneers carbon fiber chassis in 1981, improving safety and performance in Formula One.
1.5-litre turbo-charged engines (1983–1988)
1983: Piquet's turbo engine win for Brabham. Turbo dominance begins in 1982. Last non-championship race in 1983. Turbo power peaks in 1986. Restrictions in 1987-88. Turbo era ends in 1988, atmospheric engines return in 1989. Prost wins close 1984 title. Williams-Honda dominates 1986-87. Senna claims 1988 title with McLaren-Honda.
3.5-litre naturally-aspirated engines, active suspension, and electronic driver aids (1989–1993)
1989: Turbo ban, naturally aspirated engines up to 3.5L. McLaren-Honda dominance with Prost winning in 1989, Senna in 1990-91. Fierce Prost-Senna rivalry with clashes in 1989-90. Both drivers dominate 1988-1990. Williams-Renault resurgence in early 1990s. Introduction of electronic driver aids. Ban on aids in 1994 due to concerns over technology's impact. Mansell wins in 1992, Prost in 1993 with Williams-Renault. Safety improvements and TV cameras boost popularity. 1994 poised for excitement with Senna moving to Williams, Schumacher with Benetton, McLaren's Peugeot engine, and Ferrari's hopes with Berger and Alesi.
3-litre engines (1995–1999)
1995: Schumacher wins second Drivers' title with Benetton, and Benetton claims Constructors' title. Ferrari rebuilds with Schumacher in 1996, but Damon Hill wins the championship. Jacques Villeneuve secures titles for Williams in 1997. Renault exits F1 in 1997. McLaren-Mercedes dominates with Häkkinen winning in 1998 and 1999. Trouble brews as established teams like Lotus disappear, privateer teams struggle, and only a few survive, including Jordan, Sauber, Arrows, and Minardi.
V10 engines and rise of road car manufacturer participation (2000–2005)
1998: V10 engines become standard. Schumacher and Häkkinen dominate early 2000s. Ferrari's 2002 dominance raises concerns. Major car manufacturers join F1. Schumacher sets records with championships in 2003 and 2004. Rule changes in 2004 ban electronic driver aids. Competition intensifies in 2004. Ford's withdrawal exposes small teams' vulnerabilities. Alonso dominates 2005, McLaren challenges. Renault secures Constructors' title. V10 era concludes in 2005. Red Bull buys Minardi, ending small specialist team era. Manufacturer involvement increases in 2006, marking end of V10 era. Renault and Ferrari enjoy success in V10 era.
2.4-litre V8 engines (2006–2008)
2006: Last season with two tire manufacturers; Michelin exits. Alonso and Renault lead but face Ferrari challenges. Schumacher announces retirement. Alonso wins Drivers', Renault wins Constructors'.
2007: Competitive McLaren season; Räikkönen wins Drivers', Ferrari wins Constructors'.
2008: Hamilton secures dramatic last-lap victory for Drivers' Championship; Ferrari takes Constructors'. Alonso returns to Renault, then joins Ferrari in 2010.
Cost-cutting measures and departure of car manufacturers (2009–2013)
Car Evolution (2000s): Cars became highly complex and efficient, reducing on-track competition.
Overtaking Rule Changes (2009): New rules introduced to enhance overtaking, including KERS for energy recovery.
Brawn GP Success (2009): Brawn GP emerged victorious in their only season, led by Jenson Button.
Manufacturer Teams' Decline (2009): Major manufacturers like Toyota and BMW reduced or left F1 due to economic challenges.
Red Bull Dominance (2010-2013): Red Bull Racing, with Sebastian Vettel, secured consecutive titles, showcasing aerodynamic prowess.
Team Orders Ban Lifted (2010): Ban on team orders dropped for the 2011 season after a controversial race.
Vettel's Reign (2011-2013): Sebastian Vettel dominated, becoming the youngest triple World Champion in F1 history.
Aerodynamic Advantages (2013): Red Bull's innovations and Vettel's skill led to nine consecutive wins, securing fourth titles for both.
Introduction of 1.6-litre turbocharged V6 hybrid power units (2014–2021)
Regulatory Overhaul (2014): Introduction of 1.6L single turbocharged 6-cylinder engines, new car regulations, and increased minimum weight.
Engine Manufacturers (2014): Ferrari, Mercedes, and Renault produced engines, with Honda joining in 2015. Cosworth opted out.
Performance Changes: Turbo engines produced 600 bhp, with a powerful Energy Recovery System (ERS) providing up to 160 hp. Consistent improvements led to engines reaching around 1000 hp by 2017.
Mercedes Dominance (2014-2016): Mercedes, utilizing the innovative "split turbocharger," dominated with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg winning 51 of 59 races and all titles.
Ferrari's Challenge (2017-2018): Ferrari and Sebastian Vettel emerged as contenders after aerodynamic rule changes but couldn't secure titles, with Hamilton and Mercedes maintaining dominance.
Mercedes Comfortable Victories (2019-2020): Mercedes continued success, winning championships comfortably in 2019 and 2020. Hamilton equaled Michael Schumacher's seven World Championships.
Red Bull Ends Mercedes' Streak (2021): Red Bull, powered by Honda, challenged Mercedes in 2021. Max Verstappen won the Drivers' Championship, breaking Mercedes' title streak in the hybrid era.
Ground effect cars and aerodynamic changes for closer racing (2022–present)
Formula 1's 2022 Season Highlights:
Regulatory Overhaul: FIA introduced new rules focusing on aerodynamic changes to promote closer racing, bringing back ground effect for the first time since 1983.
Ground Effect Design: The 2022 cars utilized ground effect to minimize drag and dirty air, encouraging closer racing and more overtaking opportunities. Front wing changes and simplified aerodynamics contributed to this goal.
Engine and Fuel Changes: While retaining the 1.6L turbocharged V6 hybrid engines, the fuel composition shifted to E10 (10% bio-components) for sustainability and alignment with road car fuel regulations.
Red Bull Dominance: Red Bull Racing, led by drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Pérez, dominated the season after an initial Ferrari stronghold.
Record-Breaking Performance: Max Verstappen secured the World Driver's Championship with an unprecedented 454 points, outpacing competitors Charles Leclerc and teammate Pérez by a significant margin.
Constructor's Triumph: Red Bull Racing claimed the Constructor's Championship, capping off a season marked by their team's impressive performance.
