The names have changed from one period and one racing venue to the next, but one thing has remained consistent throughout. In each case, Ferrari has been there to compete, and win its share of the recognition. The list of giants in this sport who have fended off the insistent challenge, or indeed submitted to that challenge from Ferrari, includes Auto Union, Mercedes, Vanwall, Lotus, Tyrrell, Williams, Renault, Maserati, Porsche, Lola, McLaren, Ford, Chevrolet and even Ferrari's progenitor, Alfa Romeo. Ferrari cars have far outstripped the reputation of Alfa. In fact, if it weren't for Volvo, which almost gleefully adopted the title, Alfa Romeo cars might be known today as, "the poor man's Ferrari."
One accepted barometer for success in racing is the Formula One World Championship series for open wheel cars. Here Ferrari has recently been totally dominant, but also has a long history of success in the series. While the 1980's and 90's were not kind to Skuderia Ferrari in the F1 world, the team from Maranello has more than made up the difference with a sixth consecutive constructors championship in 2004. Their top driver, Michael Schumacher, has now won five straight drivers' championships (and an unprecedented career total of seven) in the seat of a Ferrari F1 car. Presented below is a summary of all manufacturers who have won the title since the constructors' championship was re-instated in 1958. There are two lists, since the crown is recognized in both chassis and engine categories.
Total years won by chassis builders, F1 constructors' championship:
14 Ferrari, 9 Williams, 8 McLaren, 7 Lotus, 2 Brabham, 2 Cooper, 1 Tyrrell, 1 Matra, 1 BRM, 1 Benetton, 1 Vanwall
Engines that have won the annual constructors' crown:
14 Ferrari (currently, six consecutive), 10 Cosworth Ford (5 different chassis builders), 6 Renault (consecutive titles), 6 Honda (consecutive titles), 4 Climax, 2 Repco, 2 TAG Porsche, 1 BRM, 1 Mercedes, 1 Vanwall
References:
Formula One World Championships listed: http://www.racingcircuits.net/_series/f1...
A very good unofficial Ferrari Website: http://www.carsfromitaly.com/ferrari/
Copyright Dan Cooper, 2004
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