10 Most Successful Formula One Constructors Of All Time

4. Lotus

Nico Rosberg of Germany and Mercedes GP drives during the 2015 Formula One Testing at the Circuito de Jerez in Jerez de la Frontera, Spain, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti)
By Luca Varani (From SIM Driving Forum.) [CC BY-SA 2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.5)], via Wikimedia Commons

Arguably the most innovative constructor on this list, Team Lotus and founder Colin Chapman have been responsible for some of the most innovative tech ever to enter Formula One. Oh, and they have won a few races and Championships as well.

Entering Formula One in 1958, Lotus cars gained a reputation for being competitive, but fragile. It was in the 1960s that Lotus truly made a name for itself. Teaming with Scottish ace, Jim Clark, the team won both the drivers and constructors titles in 1963 and 1965. Tragically, Clarke died in a Formula 2 race in 1968, but Lotus carried on to win that year's Constructors' Championship. The 1970s saw Lotus' best years, with Constructors' Championships in '70, '72, '73 & '78.

In 1982, Chapman died, and although Lotus won races sporadically, mainly thanks to Honda and Renault turbos, and the brilliance of Ayrton Senna, they were never really the same without him. Eventually, poor form and financial troubles forced the team into administration in 1994.

Constructors' Championships: 7

Wins: 79

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