Who are the most successful car manufacturers in motorsport?

There are some big names in motorsports, but who are they?

From sleek Ferraris to powerful Porsches, the history of motorsport is driven by legendary manufacturers.

Whether it's the high-octane thrills of Formula One, the endurance test of Le Mans, two wheels or four wheels – these manufacturers are iconic. We’ve probably all heard of them. And if not, have you been living under a rock?

While you sadly won't be able to lease an F1 car for your daily commute, you can get behind the wheel of some pretty neat models from many of these iconic racing brands.

Let's take a pit stop and look at the manufacturers that have truly mastered the art of motorsport dominance.

Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz (famously known as the "Silver Arrows" for their distinctive silver racing livery) have absolutely dominated modern Formula 1, with Mercedes-AMG Petronas claiming eight consecutive Constructors' Championships from 2014-2021. 

Talk about putting the competition in the rear-view mirror.

Sir Lewis Hamilton secured six of his seven World Championships with Mercedes, smashing records for wins (105), poles (104), and podiums (202) along the way before making his headline-grabbing move to Ferrari in 2025.

This on-track success has turbocharged their road cars too.

Just look at the jaw-dropping Mercedes-AMG ONE hypercar – it's practically an F1 car with number plates.

The technology that wins on Sunday really does sell on Monday.

It's no wonder Mercedes-Benz leasing is in pole position for both personal and business customers. With engineering that keeps lapping the competition, Mercedes-Benz puts the drive into driving performance.

Ford

Racing is in Ford's DNA – from Henry Ford's early victories against the top drivers of his day, to dominating multiple motorsport disciplines worldwide.

Ford (nicknamed "The Blue Oval" for their iconic badge) conquered Formula 1 in the 1970s and 80s, powering champions like Lotus, Tyrrell, McLaren and Williams to glory. 

After 20 years away, they're making a pit stop back in F1 for 2026 with Red Bull Racing.

Their rally success is legendary too. Remember those mud-slinging Escort RS Cosworths tearing through forests? That same winning spirit lives on today with the Puma Rally1 hybrid tackling the World Rally Championship.

And who could forget their historic 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans in 1966? 

Ford celebrated the 50th anniversary by winning again in 2016 – now this is what you call coming full circle.

While the Fiesta and Focus have been discontinued as Ford accelerates toward an electric future, you can still experience that racing pedigree in models like the muscular Mustang and the off-road-ready Ranger Raptor.

Fancy putting yourself in the driving seat of Ford's motorsport legacy? We've got you covered with competitive lease deals across their exciting range.

Renault/Alpine

From engines to race wins, Renault's motorsport DNA runs through everything they touch.

The French manufacturer made headlines when Fernando Alonso secured back-to-back F1 titles in 2005-2006, but their real magic has been powering others to glory.

Renault engines have propelled Williams (1992-1997), Benetton (1995), and Red Bull Racing (2010-2013) to multiple world championships, proving they know exactly what should be going on under the bonnet.

In 2021, Renault's racing operation shifted into Alpine – reviving the iconic French performance brand with serious rallying credentials. The original Alpine A110 dominated the inaugural World Rally Championship in 1973, and today's reborn A110 brings that same lightweight, nimble philosophy to modern roads.

With an all-electric "Dream Garage" on the horizon starting with the A290 hot hatch, Alpine is accelerating toward an exciting future that blends French flair with serious performance credentials.

Not bad for a brand that started in a garage in Dieppe.

Ferrari

Ferrari isn't just a car manufacturer – it's motorsport royalty wrapped in Italian passion.

Since roaring onto the F1 grid in 1950, Ferrari has never missed a season, making them the sport’s most enduring team.

Their dominance in the early 2000s was nothing short of spectacular, with Michael Schumacher claiming five straight championships while the team racked up six consecutive constructors' titles.

But Ferrari's racing DNA runs deeper than just F1. 

They collected nine outright victories at Le Mans before focusing solely on formula racing, and their unmatched motorsport heritage flows directly into every road car that leaves Maranello.

From the raw F40 to the hybrid LaFerrari, their special editions blur the line between race and road machines. The 430 Scuderia Spider 16M wasn't just named after their racing division – it was built to celebrate their 16th F1 constructors' championship.

With their passionate fanbases and that unmistakable Ferrari red, this iconic Italian outfit continues to prove that some legends simply never fade.

Porsche

Racing is in Porsche's DNA – from conquering the twisting mountain roads of the Targa Florio to dominating the grueling 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The German powerhouse has made the endurance racing world their playground, collecting an unmatched 19 overall victories at Le Mans.

Their domination through the 1970s and 80s with iconic racers like the 917 and 956/962C created a motorsport legacy few can rival.

What sets Porsche apart is how their racing technology flows directly into their road cars.

That iconic 911 silhouette? It's been pushed to its limits on racetracks worldwide, with the knowledge gained feeding straight back to the models you can drive on the street.

Even as Porsche expands into new racing frontiers like Formula E (where they clinched both the Teams' and Manufacturers' world championships in 2024), they maintain their endurance racing heritage with the 963 hypercar competing at the highest level of the World Endurance Championship.

Today, you can experience that racing DNA through Porsche leasing, with models like the track-inspired 911 or the versatile Macan bringing motorsport technology to your daily drive.

It's the closest you can get to living your Le Mans winner dream without needing a racing license.

Honda

From the checkered flag to the showroom floor, Honda accelerates beyond ordinary engineering. Since founder Soichiro Honda first entered motorsport in the 1950s, the Japanese powerhouse has conquered virtually every racing discipline on earth.

Their Formula 1 journey began in 1964, but their golden era came as an engine supplier in the late 1980s, powering the legendary McLaren cars of Senna and Prost to unprecedented dominance – winning 15 of 16 races in 1988 alone.

Beyond F1, Honda's winning touch extends to IndyCar, Super GT, touring cars, sports car racing, and even off-road competitions like the brutal Baja 1000.

Their six consecutive F1 Constructors' Championships (1986-1991) and Max Verstappen's 2021 title with Red Bull cement their motorsport legacy.

This racing heritage directly influences Honda's road cars, with track-born technology finding its way into everyday vehicles. A Honda lease puts you behind the wheel of a car with championship-winning engineering in its blood.

McLaren

When it comes to motorsport royalty, McLaren stands firmly among the elite.

Founded in 1963 by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren, this British powerhouse has become one of the most successful teams in Formula 1 history.

With over 200 Grand Prix victories, 12 Drivers' Championships, and 9 Constructors' Championships, McLaren sits proudly as the second most successful F1 team after Ferrari.

The team's golden eras have featured some of this sport's greatest legends. 

The partnership of Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost in the late 1980s created one of F1's most dominant and dramatic periods, while later stars like Mika Häkkinen and Lewis Hamilton added to McLaren's trophy cabinet.

What sets McLaren apart is their relentless pursuit of innovation. Their Technical Centre in Woking, England is renowned as one of motorsport's most advanced facilities, pushing the boundaries of what's possible on track.

Unlike some manufacturers who produce everything from family hatchbacks to delivery vans, McLaren has stayed true to their high-performance DNA, focusing exclusively on what they do best – creating vehicles that deliver a genuine motorsport experience for the road.

With a stunning return to form in recent seasons, McLaren is once again challenging at the front of the F1 grid, reminding everyone why they remain one of motorsport's most revered names.

These legendary manufacturers have shaped motorsport history, each leaving their distinctive mark on tracks worldwide. 

Their racing innovations directly influence the cars we drive today, translating high-performance technology from circuit to street.

Whether you're drawn to German precision, Italian passion, French flair, or British engineering, there's a motorsport-inspired lease that puts championship DNA in your daily drive – giving you a taste of racing heritage with every journey.