By Erin Malik
Not every team can have the prowess of a Red Bull or McLaren on the F1 grid, and everyone has to start – and finish – somewhere.
In the interest of fairness, we’re taking a look at some of the Formula 1 teams that won races but never managed to win the sought-after Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
BMW Sauber
German BMW bought Swiss team Sauber in June 2005 to form the BMW Sauber F1 team after their partnership with Williams ended at the end of the 2005 season. The team’s first entry into Formula 1 came in the form of the 2006 Bahrain Grand Prix and it entered into a total of 70 races throughout the three seasons it operated.
Despite finishing 7th in the 2007 Constructors’ Championship and driver Robert Kubica placing 4th in the 2008 Drivers’ Championship, BMW Sauber only won one race during its time on the grid, amassing 17 podiums in total. Its final entry was in the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, and the team withdrew from the grid as a result of struggles during the 2008 financial crisis and a poor performance throughout the 2009 season.
Jordan GP
Jordan Grand Prix, named after its founder Eddie Jordan, competed in Formula 1 from 1991-2005. The team competed in 250 races in those 14 years and achieved 4 race victories. Its first entry came in the 1991 United States Grand Prix, with Bertrand Gachot qualifying in 14th and finishing 10th in the race.
It took 7 years for Jordan GP to win a race, and it did so in style, with a 1-2 podium finish for Damon Hill and Ralf Schumacher at the 1998 Belgian Grand Prix. Jordan GP was sold in 2005 following financial struggles and, eventually, became the Aston Martin F1 team which still operates from the original Silverstone factory.
Honda Racing F1
Honda has gone through multiple eras in Formula 1. As a company, Honda has supplied engines to racing teams for decades, but has had two notable stints as a team themselves in F1.
The first era of Honda Racing began as early as August 1964, where it made its first entry onto the grid at the German Grand Prix. Their first win came from Richie Ginther in the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix, and its second from John Surtees in the 1967 Italian Grand Prix. Honda Racing left the grid in 1968 following the tragic death of their driver Jo Schlesser during the French Grand Prix.
After a lengthy hiatus, the team made a grid comeback in 2006, with Jenson Button winning its only race of the ‘new era’ in the Hungarian Grand Prix of that year.
Équipe Ligier
Former Rugby Union player and F1 driver Guy Ligier decided to found his own team after retiring from racing following the death of his friend Jo Schlesser. Équipe Ligier operated from 1976-1996, amassing an impressive 332 entries, 9 race victories, 50 podiums, and 9 pole positions. Its first win came from Jacques Laffite in the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix. Laffite won the most races as driver for Équipe Ligier – with a total of 6 – and finished 4th in the 1979-81 Drivers’ Championship.
The team finished 2nd in the 1980 Constructors’ Championship, but never took home the trophy. Its final win came from Olivier Panis in Monaco 1996 before its final race in the 1996 Japanese Grand Prix.
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