World Champions Collection unveiled at Silverstone: an F1 car for every title-winner

August 22nd 2025

Marking 75 years of Formula 1, the 2025 Silverstone Festival has assembled an F1 car for each world champion in an unprecedented showcase

75 years of F1 history on one grid: there's a car raced by each of the 34 world champions here

The Silverstone Festival has pulled the covers off an unprecedented Formula 1 collection, which includes cars raced by every one of the 34 world champions in history.

As the three-day Festival opened, the first images of the extraordinary display, assembled on the grid, emerged. It marks 75 years since the first Formula 1 world championship race, held at the circuit.

Following the spectacular photoshoot, the cars have been moved to a prominent display area where visitors will be able to walk through F1 history, past machines that were driven by the likes of Juan Manuel Fangio, Ayrton Senna, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen.

From the Alfa Romeo 158 that triumphed in the very first season, to the cutting-edge Red Bull RB18, each car represents a defining moment in the championship’s story.

Britain’s ten world champions, who won 20 titles between them, are commemorated with an array of models, including Mike Hawthorn’s 1958 Ferrari 246, Jackie Stewart’s 1973 Tyrrell 006, Jenson Button’s 2009 Brawn BGP001 and Lewis Hamilton’s 2020 Mercedes W11.

F1 cars driven by British world champions at Silverstone — The achievements of all ten British F1 champions are marked by this collection

Jakob Ebrey

The Silverstone Festival also includes a full schedule of historic races across the weekend, with fields spanning 1950s front-engined machinery to the Cosworth DFV-powered cars of the ’70s and early ’80s; Group C sports cars and more recent prototypes.

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Among the highlights will be a bumper grid of 500cc Formula 3 cars, recreating the support race that featured at the 1950 British Grand Prix.

Beyond the motor sport, the Festival will also feature a wide range of entertainment including live performances by Natasha Bedingfield, Craig David presents TS5, and Ministry of Sound Classical.

More details and ticket information can be found at www.silverstonefestival.co.uk.

Full list of F1 cars at the 2025 Silverstone Festival

1950 Alfa Romeo 158

One of the most dominant cars in motor sport history, the Alfa Romeo 158/9 claimed victory in 47 of its 54 grand prix starts. It carried Giuseppe Farina to the inaugural F1 world championship in 1950 and helped Juan Manuel Fangio win his first title the following year.

Silverstone Festival F1 75 celebration — Alfa 158 heads the grid alongside other famous machinery

Jakob Ebrey

1954 Lancia D50

Alberto Ascari, took back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953, then concluded his career with three final races in a Lancia D50.

1957 Maserati 250F

Fangio’s legendary fifth and final world title came in 1957 behind the wheel of the Maserati 250F. With wins for four different manufacturers, he maintained the highest win-to-start ratio in F1 history.

1958 Ferrari 246 Dino

Mike Hawthorn became Britain’s first world champion in 1958, driving this front-engined Ferrari 246 Dino – an F1 swansong for front-mounted engines in the title fight.

1961 Ferrari 156

The iconic ‘sharknose’ Ferrari 156 helped American Phil Hill become the first US-born F1 champion. Although the originals no longer exist, this faithful replica evokes a defining era in the sport’s history.

1962 BRM P578

Nicknamed ‘Old Faithful,’ the BRM P578 carried Graham Hill to his first world title in 1962, making him the first Briton to win the championship in a British car.

1963 Lotus 25

Jim Clark claimed his first world championship in 1963 at the wheel of the sleek Lotus 25: a combination that dominated the season.

Cockpit of Jim Clark Lotus F1 car at Silverstone — The stuff of legend: Lotus 25, as raced by Jim Clark

Jakob Ebrey

1966 Brabham BT20

Jack Brabham made history in 1966 by winning the world championship in a car bearing his own name – the Brabham BT20. He remains the only person ever to achieve that feat.

1967 Brabham-Repco BT24

New Zealander Denny Hulme captured his lone world title in 1967, outpacing team boss Jack Brabham in the final season before the dominance of the Ford DFV engine began.

1970 Surtees TS 7/01 & 1960 MV Agusta

John Surtees stands alone as a champion on both two wheels and four. On display is the first car he raced for his eponymous Surtees team in 1970, and the 1960 MV Agusta 500cc bike that contributed to his seven motorcycle titles.

Surtees F1 car alongside MV Agusta motorbike on the grid at Silverstone — Surtees unique achievement in winning world championships on two and four wheels is marked in the collection

Jakob Ebrey

1970 Lotus 72

A championship-winner that will always be tinged with the tragedy of Jochen Rindt’s fatal Monza crash. He was subsequently crowned world champion.

1972 Lotus 72D

The first of three Brazilian world champions, Emerson Fittipaldi won his first title with this Lotus 72D in impeccable JPS livery

Side view of Emerson Fittipaldi Lotus 72 at Silverstone — Fittipaldi’s title-winning Lotus 72D

Jakob Ebrey

1973 Tyrrell 006

Jackie Stewart claimed his third and final title in 1973 with the Tyrrell 006. Today, he uses his platform to lead the Race Against Dementia campaign.

Ten cars representing Britain’s F1 world champions at Silverstone — Stewart’s Tyrrell (*right, front-row* and Hunt’s McLaren (*left, back row*) among other cars that carried British champions

1976 McLaren M26

James Hunt’s rollercoaster 1976 season ended with him edging out Niki Lauda to win the title in the McLaren M26, capturing hearts with his charisma and daring.

1978 Lotus 79

Lotus revolutionised F1 with the Lotus 79, the first successful ground effect car. It took Mario Andretti to the world title in 1978, making him only the second American champion.

1979 McLaren M19B

Though Jody Scheckter won the title in a Ferrari in 1979, this McLaren M19B marked his F1 debut back in 1972. It remained in his personal collection until recently.

1980 Williams FW07B

Alan Jones secured Williams’ first world championship with the FW07B in 1980, racking up five victories – including a standout win at Silverstone.

1982 Williams FW08

Keke Rosberg’s consistency paid off in 1982, as he won the title in the naturally aspirated Williams FW08 – a car that claimed the final championship for the iconic Ford DFV engine.

1985 McLaren MP4/2B

Alain Prost became France’s first F1 champion in 1985, winning the title in the McLaren MP4/2B. It was the first of his four world crowns.

1987 Williams FW11B

Nelson Piquet earned his third title in 1987 driving the Williams FW11B, having previously won championships with Brabham in 1981 and 1983.

Williams F1 car driven by Nelson Piquet on the grid at Silverstone — Piquet’s Williams FW11

Jakob Ebrey

1988 McLaren MP4/4

The 1988 season saw McLaren dominate with the MP4/4, winning 15 of 16 races. Ayrton Senna narrowly beat team-mate Alain Prost to claim his first title.

1991 Benetton 191

Michael Schumacher quickly switched from Jordan to Benetton in 1991, scoring his first points in this elegant 191 chassis. He would later go on to win a record seven championships.

Benetton F1 car driven by Michael Schumacher on the grid at Silverstone — Schumacher earned his first F1 points in Benetton 191

Jakob Ebrey

Red 5 on Williams FW14B F1 car driven by Nigel Mansell on the grid at Silverstone — The nose that led much of the 1992 season

Jakob Ebrey

1992 Williams FW14B

Nigel Mansell finally claimed the title in 1992 after years of near-misses, with nine victories in the technologically advanced Williams FW14B – including one on home soil at Silverstone.

1996 Williams FW18

Damon Hill clinched the 1996 world championship with the FW18, becoming the first son of a world champion to take the crown himself before being let go by Williams for the following season.

Four F1 cars driven by Damon Hill Graham Hill Nico Rosberg and Keke Rosberg — *Left to right:* Damon Hill’s Williams FW18 alongside dad Graham’s BRM P578; next to Keke Rosberg’s Williams FW08 and son Nico’s Mercedes W07

Jakob Ebrey

1997 Williams FW19

Canada’s Jacques Villeneuve won a dramatic title in 1997 with the FW19, sealing the championship after a controversial last-race clash with Michael Schumacher.

1999 McLaren MP4/14

Mika Häkkinen defended his crown in 1999 with the McLaren MP4/14, winning five races and narrowly defeating Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine for a second straight title.

2005 Renault R25

Fernando Alonso became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history in 2005, at the wheel of Renault’s R25, and retained the title the following year too. That record, however, has since been lost, first to Lewis Hamilton in 2008 and then Sebastian Vettel in 2010

2008 McLaren MP4/23

In 2008, Lewis Hamilton became the youngest world champion at the time by beating Felipe Massa by a single point in the season finale. He drove the Mercedes-powered McLaren MP4/23.

2009 Brawn BGP 001

Rising from the ashes of Honda, Brawn GP shocked the paddock in 2009. Jenson Button took six early wins in the innovative BGP 001, paving the way for his championship triumph.

2012 Red Bull RB8

Sebastian Vettel won his third consecutive title in 2012 with the Red Bull RB8, narrowly edging out Fernando Alonso after a tense, season-long battle.

2016 Mercedes-AMG F1 W07

Nico Rosberg mirrored his father’s achievement by taking the 2016 championship in this Mercedes W07. He retired from the sport just five days later.

2020 Mercedes-AMG F1 W11

The W11 delivered one of Lewis Hamilton’s most dominant seasons, securing his seventh world title in 2020 with 11 wins from 16 races.

2022 Red Bull RB18

Max Verstappen crushed the opposition in 2022 with the Red Bull RB18, winning 15 races en route to his second title – firmly establishing himself among the greats.

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