F1: The 50 Greatest Looking Cars Of All Time
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Tony Hisgett, Wikimedia Commons
No. 20 through No. 16
20. Ferrari 158
Though the 158 retired from four of the ten races in the 1964 season, Ferrari still managed to win that year’s Driver’s and Constructor’s championships (John Surtees’ first and only).
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Nic Redhead, Wikimedia Commons
As such, the 158, though it wasn’t the greatest race car Ferrari had ever built, was a force to be reckoned with.
However, the 158’s success was short lived, as it was unable to successfully defend its championship, finishing fourth overall the following year.
Yet the 158 has become a classic. And even though the famous Ferrari Rosso corso paintwork sharply contrasts with the 158’s light blue wheels, the entire package works well, helping make the car instantly recognizable today.
19. McLaren M14A
Though an evolution of the M7A, the M14A wasn’t able to capture the same glory as its predecessor.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Nic Redhead, Wikimedia Commons
The M14A did, however, look a lot better. Painted in the distinct McLaren orange, it sported a lower rear wing and tighter body work, with the car lowered as flat to the ground as possible. This would’ve no doubt made for an impressive sight, regardless of where it was placed in the pack.
The M14A is also widely known as the last Formula 1 car driven by McLaren’s founder, Bruce McLaren, before he was tragically killed whilst testing the M8D Can-Am in June, 1970.
18. Honda RA107
Also known as the ‘Honda Earth Car’, the RA107’s livery was void of any sponsors, and instead, depicted a large planet Earth floating in space.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Honda used this paint scheme in an effort to endorse its environmental desires, and though their efforts should be commended, their disastrous 2007 season did little to promote their cause.
Even so, the car looked magnificent.
17. Renault R25
Renault returned to Formula 1 with a bang in 2002; the French team, in their first season in over 15 years, managing to finish fourth in the championship standings.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
With such early success, their future dominance may not have come as a surprise to many, but it wasn’t any less impressive.
The R25, Renault’s 2005 entrant, was a strikingly good looking car which also happened to be incredibly reliable as well. A perfect combination of consistency and speed allowed Renault to bag the Constructor’s whilst Fernando Alonso took home his first Driver’s championship.
Renault and Alonso repeated the feat in the equally impressive R26 the following year.
16. McLaren M23 (pictured above)
The M23 was a powerhouse. Over a period of four years, it competed in 83 races, won 16 of them and three championships, and was used extensively across other racing series.
Its most notable driver would be James Hunt, who drove the M23 during his 1976 championship year.
The car’s vibrant livery, being a soft orange set atop a white background, became synonymous with McLaren for the next two decades.