Auto123.com brings you the most beautiful Formula 1 cars created by the most gifted designers.
We have placed them in chronological order, the oldest to the most recent.
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1954 Mercedes W196 - We see here Nick Heidfeld driving the exquisite Mercedes W196 powered by an in-line, supercharged 8-cylinder engine. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1958 Maserati 250F – Sooooo nice with its streamlined bodywork! The 250F was first powered by a V6 engine before Maserati switched to a V12 motor in 1957. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1959 Cooper T51 – The little mid-engined Cooper captured the world title in 1959 and 1960. The nimble T51 was powered by the Coventry Climax in-line four engine of 240 bhp. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1962 Ferrari 156 – Designed by Carlo Chiti, the 156 was made to comply with the new F1 rules of 1.5 litre engines. It was powered by the Dino V6 motor and was dubbed "sharknose" due to its characteristic air intake "nostrils". (Photo: WRI2) |
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1972 Lotus 72 – Colin Chapman introduced a totally new design in F1 with the “wedge” shape of the bodywork, a streamlined chisel nose and the sidepods containing the radiators. Emerson Fittipaldi drove it to the world title in 1972. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1977 Wolf WR1 – The new team of oil businessman Walter Wolf produced the sleek WR1, designed by Dr. Harvey Postlethwaite. Driven by Jody Scheckter, the WR1 won three races in 1977. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1978 Lotus 79 – The splendid Ford-powered 79 was the first F1 car to make the most of ground effects with inverted wings in the sidepods and skirts to seal them. Allowed Mario Andretti to clinch the title in 1978. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1983 Brabham TB52 – The BT52 featured a distinctive dart-shaped profile and oversized rear wing in an effort to generate as much downforce as possible. It was powered by the massively powerful BMW M12/13 turbocharged engine which produced about 850 bhp in qualifying trim. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1988 McLaren MP4/4 – Designed by Gordon Murray, the MP4/4 won all but one races in 1988, thanks to Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost. The lowline chassis layout was more aerodynamically efficient and allowed more air to pass over the rear wing, creating more downforce. (Photo: WRI2) |
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1991 Jordan 191 – The 191 did not win a Grand Prix, but it is recognised by many to be one of the most beautiful F1 cars of all time. It was designed by a team of just three engineers led by Gary Anderson and was raced on a shoestring budget. The 191 ranked 5th in the constructors' championship in 1991. (Photo: WRI2) |