The 10 Fastest F1 Cars in History – Ranked

July 24, 2025 Rasmus Kristensen

Speed has always been the heartbeat of Formula 1. But only a select few machines have pushed the boundaries so far that they redefined what “fast” really means. Whether through raw lap time, outright dominance, or revolutionary engineering, these cars didn’t just win races — they reshaped the sport itself.

Here are the 10 fastest Formula 1 cars ever, ranked by performance, innovation, and sheer speed.

10. McLaren MP4/4 (1988)

McLaren-Honda MP4/4 — By Instituto Ayrton Senna - Senna e a conquista de seu primeiro título, em 1988., CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28825008

Driven by Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, the MP4/4 is one of the most dominant F1 cars of all time. Powered by a Honda V6 turbo engine, it won 15 out of 16 races in 1988. Its low-slung chassis and aerodynamic efficiency made it almost untouchable on the track.

9. Ferrari F2002

Piloted by Michael Schumacher, the F2002 was a masterpiece of balance, power, and innovation. Its lightweight design and bulletproof V10 engine earned Ferrari 15 wins in just 17 races. It was so fast, Ferrari used it for the first few races of 2003 and still won.

8. Red Bull RB6 (2010)

The car that kickstarted Sebastian Vettel’s championship dynasty, the RB6 delivered unprecedented cornering speed thanks to Adrian Newey’s design genius. Although not always the most reliable, its aerodynamic grip made it the fastest overall package of 2010.

7. Mercedes W07 Hybrid (2016)

Mercedes F1 W07 Hybrid — By Morio - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=52086092

Driven by Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, the W07 was the car that dominated the hybrid era’s early years. With 19 wins in a single season, it featured a class-leading power unit and near-perfect balance. Its consistency and efficiency were second to none.

6. Williams FW14B (1992)

Nigel Mansell finally clinched his long-awaited title with this technological marvel. Featuring active suspension, traction control, and a powerful Renault V10, the FW14B was light-years ahead of its rivals and often lapped most of the field by race end.

5. McLaren MP4-20 (2005)

Known for its raw pace, the MP4-20 was driven by Kimi Räikkönen during a highly competitive 2005 season. It might not have won the championship, but on pure speed, it often outclassed the field — if it could stay reliable. A beast on low fuel with flying laps.

4. Red Bull RB19 (2023)

Arguably the most dominant car of the modern era, the RB19 helped Max Verstappen cruise through the 2023 season. With unmatched performance on every type of circuit, it had few weaknesses and set the standard for what a modern F1 car could achieve.

3. Mercedes W11 (2020)

Often considered Mercedes' most complete car, the W11 gave Lewis Hamilton a record-tying seventh world title. It featured extreme downforce, innovative DAS steering, and blistering qualifying pace — setting several all-time lap records in the process.

2. Ferrari F2004

A true icon in F1 history, the F2004 carried Michael Schumacher to his seventh championship. Its screaming V10 engine and aerodynamic elegance allowed it to set lap records that stood for over a decade. This car represented peak Ferrari performance.

1. Red Bull RB20 (2024)

Driven by Max Verstappen, the RB20 took everything great about the RB19 and improved it. With better top speed, tire management, and stability, it became the most complete and fastest F1 car ever. In 2024, it didn't just win — it humiliated the competition.