By Andrew Clarke
Date posted: 21 March 2026
The 1966 regulation shift to 3.0 litres triggered one of the most diverse engine grids in Formula 1 history.
With no limits on cylinders, camshafts or valve count, designers pursued radically different solutions, some elegant, some excessive, all ambitious.
In 1966, Formula 1 stepped into a new mechanical era, not through small changes but a bold break. The FIA dropped the 1.5-litre naturally aspirated formula and set a 3.0-litre limit, marking the biggest technical reset since the world championship began.
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The goal was clear: bring back power, increase speed, and make Grand Prix racing feel and sound like the top level of motor sport again.
What followed wasn’t neat or orderly. It was messy. Instead of everyone gravitating toward the same solution, the new rules sent designers in completely different directions.
Five distinct engine ideas emerged, each reflecting a different belief about how power should be made and managed.
Some were logical extensions of what teams already knew. Others were bold swings at something entirely new. Most were clever. Almost none were ready.
When the European part of the season started, the paddock felt more like a workshop than a race. One engine had raced, another had been testing for weeks, some were still on dynos, and one was just being built. The 3.0-litre formula didn’t simplify Formula 1. It opened it up.
Yoshio Nakamura, Richie Ginther, Honda RA273, Grand Prix of Mexico, Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Magdalena Mixhuca, 23 October 1966. Yoshio Nakamura watches as Richie Ginther prepares to leave the pits during practice for the 1966 Mexican Grand Prix. (Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty Images)
The first race of the new era took place at Monaco in 1966, and almost nobody was properly prepared.
Even big teams like Ferrari and BRM showed up with rushed or unfinished 3.0-litre engines instead of fully developed ones.
Some stuck with bigger versions of 1965 Coventry Climax V8s, others brought back old 2.5-litre four-cylinders from before 1961, and some used heavy sports car engines just to meet the rules.
Bruce McLaren’s M2B used a destroked Ford V8 based on its Indy-winning cousin but lasted only nine laps before an oil leak ended its race.
The grid was a mechanical crossroads. Fresh 3.0-litre concepts such as Ferrari’s V12, Maserati’s V12, BRM’s ambitious H16 and the Oldsmobile-based Repco V8 lined up alongside improvised stop-gaps, a field split between clean-sheet ambition and pragmatic survival.
Seventeen cars started the race, but only four officially finished, the lowest number ever in Formula One. Some of the weekend was filmed for the movie Grand Prix, which is why McLaren appeared in white and green instead of its usual colours, playing the fictional Yamura team in a race that felt part movie, part engineering test.
Stewart won from Bandini, with Hill third and Bob Bondurant fourth, the only four classified finishers in a race defined by extreme attrition. Under new rules requiring 90% race distance for classification, even cars still circulating were deemed retired.
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‘description’ => ‘An Introduction to Formula One (F1)
Formula One, or F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, governed by the Fédération Internationale de l\’Automobile (FIA) and is owned by Liberty Media. The name “Formula One” refers to the set of rules or formula that all cars and drivers must comply with.
The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held on purpose-built circuits or public roads around the world. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual championships: one for drivers and one for constructors (teams).
The history of Formula One can be traced back to the pre-war Grand Prix racing, which featured open-wheel cars with supercharged engines. The first World Championship of Drivers was organised by the FIA in 1950, following the end of World War II. The first race was held at Silverstone, England, and was won by Giuseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo. The first constructors\’ championship was introduced in 1958 and was won by Vanwall.
Formula One has seen many changes and innovations over the years, both in terms of technology and regulations. Some of the most notable developments include the introduction of rear-engined cars in the late 1950s, the use of aerodynamic wings in the late 1960s, the adoption of turbocharged engines in the late 1970s, the emergence of electronic driver aids in the late 1980s, the switch to V10 and then V8 engines in the 1990s and 2000s, and the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014.
Formula One has also produced some of the greatest drivers and rivalries in the history of motorsport. Some of the most famous names include Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Some of the most intense battles for the championship have been between Fangio and Stirling Moss in the 1950s, Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, Senna and Prost in the late 1980s, Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s, and Hamilton and Vettel in the 2010s.
Formula One is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, attracting millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The sport is also a huge business, involving billions of dollars in revenue and expenditure. The teams compete for prize money, sponsorship deals, and media rights, while the drivers earn millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. The sport is also influenced by politics, regulations, and controversies, such as doping scandals, espionage cases, safety issues, and environmental concerns.
The following is a list of all F1 World Drivers Champions by year, from 1950 to 2020:
1950-1959
1950: Giuseppe Farina (Italy) – Alfa Romeo 158, Alfa Romeo
1951: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo
1952: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
1953: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
1954: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati / Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
1955: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
1956: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Ferrari D50, Ferrari
1957: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati
1958: Mike Hawthorn (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 246, Ferrari
1959: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T51, Cooper-Climax
1960-1969
1960: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T53, Cooper-Climax
1961: Phil Hill (United States) – Ferrari 156, Ferrari
1962: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – BRM P57, BRM
1963: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 25, Lotus-Climax
1964: John Surtees (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 158, Ferrari
1965: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 33, Lotus-Climax
1966: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Brabham BT19, Brabham-Repco
1967: Denny Hulme (New Zealand) – Brabham BT20, Brabham-Repco
1968: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – Lotus 49, Lotus-Ford
1969: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Matra MS80, Matra-Ford
1970-1979
1970: Jochen Rindt (Austria) – Lotus 72, Lotus-Ford
1971: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 003, Tyrrell-Ford
1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – Lotus 72D, Lotus-Ford
1973: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 006, Tyrrell-Ford
1974: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
1975: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T, Ferrari
1976: James Hunt (United Kingdom) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
1977: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T2, Ferrari
1978: Mario Andretti (United States) – Lotus 79, Lotus-Ford
1979: Jody Scheckter (South Africa) – Ferrari 312T4, Ferrari
1980-1989
1980: Alan Jones (Australia) – Williams FW07B, Williams-Ford
1981: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT49C, Brabham-Ford
1982: Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Williams FW08, Williams-Ford
1983: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT52, Brabham-BMW
1984: Niki Lauda (Austria) – McLaren MP4/2, McLaren-TAG
1985: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2B, McLaren-TAG
1986: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2C, McLaren-TAG
1987: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Williams FW11B, Williams-Honda
1988: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/4, McLaren-Honda
1989: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/5, McLaren-Honda
1990-1999
1990: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/5B, McLaren-Honda
1991: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/6, McLaren-Honda
1992: Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom) – Williams FW14B, Williams-Renault
1993: Alain Prost (France) – Williams FW15C, Williams-Renault
1994: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B194, Benetton-Ford
1995: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B195, Benetton-Renault
1996: Damon Hill (United Kingdom) – Williams FW18, Williams-Renault
1997: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) – Williams FW19, Williams-Renault
1998: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/13, McLaren-Mercedes
1999: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/14, McLaren-Mercedes
2000-2009
2000: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F1-2000, Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2001, Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2002, Ferrari
2003: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari
2004: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2004, Ferrari
2005: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R25, Renault
2006: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R26, Renault
2007: Kimi Räikkönen (Finland) – Ferrari F2007, Ferrari
2008: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – McLaren MP4-23, McLaren-Mercedes
2009: Jenson Button (United Kingdom) – Brawn BGP 001, Brawn-Mercedes
2010-2020
2010: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB6, Red Bull-Renault
2011: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB7, Red Bull-Renault
2012: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB8, Red Bull-Renault
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB9, Red Bull-Renault
2014: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg (Germany) – Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid, Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W08 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W09 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2019: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W10 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2020: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2021-
2021: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB16B, Honda
2022: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB18, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
2023: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB19, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
2024: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB20, Red Bull Power Trains Honda’,
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Formula One, or F1, is the highest class of single-seater auto racing, governed by the Fédération Internationale de l\’Automobile (FIA) and is owned by Liberty Media. The name “Formula One” refers to the set of rules or formula that all cars and drivers must comply with.
The F1 season consists of a series of races, known as Grands Prix, held on purpose-built circuits or public roads around the world. The results of each race are combined to determine two annual championships: one for drivers and one for constructors (teams).
The history of Formula One can be traced back to the pre-war Grand Prix racing, which featured open-wheel cars with supercharged engines. The first World Championship of Drivers was organised by the FIA in 1950, following the end of World War II. The first race was held at Silverstone, England, and was won by Giuseppe Farina, driving an Alfa Romeo. The first constructors\’ championship was introduced in 1958 and was won by Vanwall.
Formula One has seen many changes and innovations over the years, both in terms of technology and regulations. Some of the most notable developments include the introduction of rear-engined cars in the late 1950s, the use of aerodynamic wings in the late 1960s, the adoption of turbocharged engines in the late 1970s, the emergence of electronic driver aids in the late 1980s, the switch to V10 and then V8 engines in the 1990s and 2000s, and the introduction of hybrid power units in 2014.
Formula One has also produced some of the greatest drivers and rivalries in the history of motorsport. Some of the most famous names include Juan Manuel Fangio, Jim Clark, Jackie Stewart, Niki Lauda, Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Sebastian Vettel. Some of the most intense battles for the championship have been between Fangio and Stirling Moss in the 1950s, Lauda and James Hunt in the 1970s, Senna and Prost in the late 1980s, Schumacher and Mika Hakkinen in the late 1990s, and Hamilton and Vettel in the 2010s.
Formula One is widely regarded as the pinnacle of motorsport, attracting millions of fans and viewers worldwide. The sport is also a huge business, involving billions of dollars in revenue and expenditure. The teams compete for prize money, sponsorship deals, and media rights, while the drivers earn millions of dollars in salaries and endorsements. The sport is also influenced by politics, regulations, and controversies, such as doping scandals, espionage cases, safety issues, and environmental concerns.
The following is a list of all F1 World Drivers Champions by year, from 1950 to 2020:
1950-1959
1950: Giuseppe Farina (Italy) – Alfa Romeo 158, Alfa Romeo
1951: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Alfa Romeo 159, Alfa Romeo
1952: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
1953: Alberto Ascari (Italy) – Ferrari 500, Ferrari
1954: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati / Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
1955: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Mercedes-Benz W196, Mercedes-Benz
1956: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Ferrari D50, Ferrari
1957: Juan Manuel Fangio (Argentina) – Maserati 250F, Maserati
1958: Mike Hawthorn (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 246, Ferrari
1959: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T51, Cooper-Climax
1960-1969
1960: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Cooper T53, Cooper-Climax
1961: Phil Hill (United States) – Ferrari 156, Ferrari
1962: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – BRM P57, BRM
1963: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 25, Lotus-Climax
1964: John Surtees (United Kingdom) – Ferrari 158, Ferrari
1965: Jim Clark (United Kingdom) – Lotus 33, Lotus-Climax
1966: Jack Brabham (Australia) – Brabham BT19, Brabham-Repco
1967: Denny Hulme (New Zealand) – Brabham BT20, Brabham-Repco
1968: Graham Hill (United Kingdom) – Lotus 49, Lotus-Ford
1969: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Matra MS80, Matra-Ford
1970-1979
1970: Jochen Rindt (Austria) – Lotus 72, Lotus-Ford
1971: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 003, Tyrrell-Ford
1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – Lotus 72D, Lotus-Ford
1973: Jackie Stewart (United Kingdom) – Tyrrell 006, Tyrrell-Ford
1974: Emerson Fittipaldi (Brazil) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
1975: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T, Ferrari
1976: James Hunt (United Kingdom) – McLaren M23, McLaren-Ford
1977: Niki Lauda (Austria) – Ferrari 312T2, Ferrari
1978: Mario Andretti (United States) – Lotus 79, Lotus-Ford
1979: Jody Scheckter (South Africa) – Ferrari 312T4, Ferrari
1980-1989
1980: Alan Jones (Australia) – Williams FW07B, Williams-Ford
1981: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT49C, Brabham-Ford
1982: Keke Rosberg (Finland) – Williams FW08, Williams-Ford
1983: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Brabham BT52, Brabham-BMW
1984: Niki Lauda (Austria) – McLaren MP4/2, McLaren-TAG
1985: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2B, McLaren-TAG
1986: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/2C, McLaren-TAG
1987: Nelson Piquet (Brazil) – Williams FW11B, Williams-Honda
1988: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/4, McLaren-Honda
1989: Alain Prost (France) – McLaren MP4/5, McLaren-Honda
1990-1999
1990: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/5B, McLaren-Honda
1991: Ayrton Senna (Brazil) – McLaren MP4/6, McLaren-Honda
1992: Nigel Mansell (United Kingdom) – Williams FW14B, Williams-Renault
1993: Alain Prost (France) – Williams FW15C, Williams-Renault
1994: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B194, Benetton-Ford
1995: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Benetton B195, Benetton-Renault
1996: Damon Hill (United Kingdom) – Williams FW18, Williams-Renault
1997: Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) – Williams FW19, Williams-Renault
1998: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/13, McLaren-Mercedes
1999: Mika Häkkinen (Finland) – McLaren MP4/14, McLaren-Mercedes
2000-2009
2000: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F1-2000, Ferrari
2001: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2001, Ferrari
2002: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2002, Ferrari
2003: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2003-GA, Ferrari
2004: Michael Schumacher (Germany) – Ferrari F2004, Ferrari
2005: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R25, Renault
2006: Fernando Alonso (Spain) – Renault R26, Renault
2007: Kimi Räikkönen (Finland) – Ferrari F2007, Ferrari
2008: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – McLaren MP4-23, McLaren-Mercedes
2009: Jenson Button (United Kingdom) – Brawn BGP 001, Brawn-Mercedes
2010-2020
2010: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB6, Red Bull-Renault
2011: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB7, Red Bull-Renault
2012: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB8, Red Bull-Renault
2013: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) – Red Bull RB9, Red Bull-Renault
2014: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W05 Hybrid, Mercedes
2015: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W06 Hybrid, Mercedes
2016: Nico Rosberg (Germany) – Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid, Mercedes
2017: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W08 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2018: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W09 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2019: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W10 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2020: Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom) – Mercedes F1 W11 EQ Power+, Mercedes
2021-
2021: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB16B, Honda
2022: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB18, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
2023: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB19, Red Bull Power Trains Honda
2024: Max Verstappen (Netherlands) – Red Bull RB20, Red Bull Power Trains Honda’,
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