Gallery: These Are the Most Beautiful F1 Cars Ever

  • Image may contain Tire Wheel Machine Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Car Wheel Spoke and Alloy Wheel
    Photo: Klemantaski Collection//Getty
    01

    Maserati 250F

    Roy Salvadori at speed in the Maserati 250F in 1955.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Sports Car Race Car Wheel Machine Tarmac and Asphalt
    Photo Daimler
    02

    Mercedes-Benz W 196 R

    Juan Manuel Fangio at the wheel of the Mercedes-Benz W 196 R, 1954.
  • Image may contain Helmet Clothing Apparel Transportation Car Vehicle Automobile Wheel Machine and Formula One
    Flickr/ Bas Bloemsaat
    03

    lotus25-f1

    The Lotus 25, which raced in Formula 1 and the Indianapolis 500, epitomized Colin Chapman's "simplify, then add lightness" ethos.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Formula One Human Person Wheel Machine and Tire
    Photo Lotus
    04

    Lotus 78

    Mario Andretti in the pioneering Lotus 78, 1978.
  • Image may contain Human Person Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Wheel Machine and Formula One
    Photo: Smudge 9000/Flickr
    05

    Tyrell P34

    The Tyrell P34, which elicited shocked gasps from the audience when it was unveiled in 1976.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Car Transportation Formula One Automobile Helmet Clothing Apparel Wheel and Machine
    Photo Sutton Images/Corbis
    06

    McLaren MP4/4

    Aytron Senna, making it look easy in the McLaren MP4/4 at Monza, 1988.
  • Image may contain Car Vehicle Transportation Automobile Helmet Clothing Apparel Formula One Wheel and Machine
    Photo: Pascal Rondeau/Getty
    07

    Leyton House Racing CG901

    Ivan Capelli, in the gorgeous Leyton House Racing CG901, 1990.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Wheel Machine and Formula One
    Photo Ferrari
    08

    Ferrari F1-2004

    Rubens Barichello leading teammate Michael Schumacher in the amazing Ferrari F1-2004 of 2004.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Car Automobile Wheel Machine and Formula One
    Photo by Sean Dempsey/AP
    09

    McLaren MP4-23

    Lewis Hamilton, lighting them up in the McLaren MP4-23 of 2008.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Formula One Car Wheel Machine Human and Person
    Photo by Williams Martini F1
    10

    Williams FW36

    The retro-licious Williams FW36 of 2014, resplendent in old-school Martini livery.
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