Each Team Builds Its Own Car
Unlike most motorsport series where all drivers use the same car, F1 teams design and build their own cars from scratch. This is what makes F1 unique — the competition is between the teams as much as the drivers. A great driver in a slow car cannot win the championship.
Each team employs hundreds of people: aerodynamicists, engineers, mechanics, strategists, data analysts, and more. The bigger teams (Mercedes, Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren) employ over 1,000 people and spend hundreds of millions per year.
Levelling the Playing Field
Since 2021, F1 has had a cost cap — a limit on how much teams can spend on car development per season. In 2026 the cap is around $135 million USD. Before the cap, top teams were spending $400–500 million per year, making it impossible for smaller teams to compete. The cap has made the field much closer.
All 11 Teams Explained
Mercedes — The dominant team of the hybrid era (2014–2021), leading the 2026 championship with Antonelli and Russell. Ferrari — The most iconic team in F1 history, founded in 1950. Hamilton joined in 2026. Red Bull — Willi's team. 4 consecutive championships with Verstappen (2021–2024). Struggling in 2026 with the new regulations. McLaren — 2025 Constructors' Champions. Norris won the Drivers' title. Alpine — The French factory team, formerly Renault. Haas — American team, overperforming in 2026 with Bearman. Williams — Historic team, currently rebuilding. Aston Martin — Backed by billionaire Lawrence Stroll. Racing Bulls — Red Bull's junior team. Audi — New in 2026, the German manufacturer finally enters F1. Cadillac — New American team in 2026, with Bottas and Perez.
The Constructors' Championship is worth more financially than the Drivers' Championship. Prize money is distributed based on constructors' standings, which is why teams fight so hard for every single point at the back of the grid too.
Le Championnat des Constructeurs vaut plus financièrement que le Championnat des Pilotes. L'argent des prix est distribué selon le classement des constructeurs, c'est pourquoi les équipes se battent si dur pour chaque point.
Red Bull built the best car in F1 four years in a row. Then the rules changed and they started from zero like everyone else. This is why 2026 is so interesting. Nobody had the answer at the start. Mercedes found it first.
Red Bull a construit la meilleure voiture en F1 quatre années de suite. Puis les règles ont changé et ils ont recommencé comme tout le monde. C'est pour ça que 2026 est si intéressant. Personne n'avait la réponse au départ. Mercedes l'a trouvée en premier.