Who are the most successful car manufacturers in motorsport?

Ferrari, Porsche, and Mercedes boast a rich and illustrious history across different motor racing series

Whether they are engine suppliers or title sponsors, we have seen some of the biggest names succeed on the biggest stage over the years.

From Formula 1 to Le Mans, there are few car manufacturers who haven’t been involved in motorsport at some level. 

Names like Honda, BMW, and Ford have all enjoyed varying degrees of success in years gone by, but who comes out as the most successful manufacturer in motorsport? 

With reports that the Volkswagen Group could enter F1 in the coming years, we’ve taken a trip down memory lane to look back on some of the most successful motorsport and car manufacturer partnerships. 

Mercedes-Benz

The most successful modern day Formula 1 team, Mercedes AMG Petronas have dominated the sport in recent years. 

With Sir Lewis Hamilton winning six world titles in seven years, the German car manufacturer have in many ways shaped the sport we see today.

As a result of their on-track success, Mercedes haven't rested on their laurels. They have implemented their latest revolutionary tech into the Mercedes cars we see on the road, including the Mercedes AMG One – a vehicle they describe as the future of ‘driving performance’. 

Mercedes leasing has always been a hugely popular option, both for personal and business customers, but the team’s success in Formula 1 has cemented their place as one of the most successful and pioneering car manufacturers.  

Ford

As one of the biggest and most successful car manufacturers in the world, it should come as no surprise that Ford have also enjoyed a period of success in motorsport.

Founder Henry Ford was a keen racer in his younger years and would often be racing his cars against the best drivers of that era.

Throughout the 1970s and 80s, Ford were one of the most successful engine suppliers in Formula 1, winning world titles with Lotus, Tyrrell, McLaren, and Williams. 

Away from Formula 1, Ford enjoyed tremendous success in the World Rally Championships and their heroics inspired famous road cars like the Ford Escort RS Cosworth. 

A Ford Fiesta lease is one of the most popular choices for customers and it remains at the forefront of Ford’s plans on a sporting front too – they recently entered an electric Fiesta into the World Rallycross Championship.

The Ford Focus RS has been a regular feature at the British Touring Car Championship and a Ford Focus lease deal offers you a sense of that racing car feel. 

Renault

Renault’s big success in motorsport came as an engine supplier, rather than as a team itself. Fernando Alonso won back-to-back F1 titles in the mid 2000s, but the Renault engines have been responsible for numerous title wins, supplied to the likes of Red Bull and Williams throughout the years.

More recently, Renault were heavily involved in the inaugural Formula E championships, winning the first title in the 2015/16 series. Now under Alpine in Formula 1, there are high hopes for the French team going forward.

Well-versed in the world of motorsport, Renault have also been involved in the Dakar Rally, the World Rally Championship, 24 Hours of Le Mans, hill climbing, and the British Touring Car Championships.

Ferrari

Perhaps the most noticeable and famous car manufacturer involved in motorsport, the Prancing Horse. 

The famous Italian manufacturer dominated Formula 1 through the early 2000s with the great Michael Schumacher winning six consecutive World Championships. 

Ferrari clinched their first Constructors’ Championship way back in 1964 and, to this day, remain a competitive outfit in the top half of the F1 standings. 

The Italian team is also one of few teams that build and supply their engines. Ferrari’s success on the track led to special edition road cars too, including the 430 Scuderia Spider 16M among others.

Porsche

The German manufacturer have been a mainstay in Le Mans. Porsche cars dominated the 24-hour race through the late 70s and 80s, as well as in more recent years. 

Like so many great manufacturers, Porsche’s success on the track inspired and influenced some of the road cars that we see today. 

With Porsche leasing, you can experience that same technology and racing heritage with some of the latest models, including the brilliant new Porsche Macan or the 911.

Honda

Honda are one of the real heavyweights when it comes to car manufacturers in motorsport. Whether it’s two wheels, four, or even off-roading, there aren’t many series they haven’t competed and succeeded in. 

With stints in Formula 1, Indy Car, MotoGP, Le Mans, and many more, the Japanese manufacturer have to be considered as one of, if not the most successful.

Despite being one of the mainstays in Formula 1, their time as a team was short-lived. Honda Racing F1 lasted just two years – but their engines have been responsible for some of the biggest title wins in the sport. 

Honda have supplied engines to some of the biggest teams throughout F1 history, including Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. It was the Honda-powered McLaren team, spearheaded by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, two all-time F1 greats, where they arguably enjoyed their biggest success. 

McLaren 

Despite their engines largely being supplied by other manufacturers, McLaren are one of the biggest names in motorsport.

Their success on the track has led to some bold and daring designs when it comes to their road cars, including the McLaren F1, Artura, and P1.

While the likes of Ford and Renault produce a wide variety of cars, McLaren has stayed true to their supercar roots, benefitting from the technology and experience they have gathered from the pinnacle of motorsport.

Best known for their Formula 1 heroics, McLaren have the second-highest number of race wins of any team in F1 history – only bettered by Ferrari. Some of the most famous names in the sport have driven for McLaren, including the late Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, and Lewis Hamilton.

Some of the best car manufacturers in motorsport

• Porsche
• Honda
• Renault
• Mercedes-Benz
• Ford
• Ferrari
• McLaren
• BMW

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