Top 21 Most Iconic Sponsorships in F1 History
21. Camel – Lotus & Benetton
The bold yellow Camel branding dominated the ’80s and ’90s, making it instantly recognizable on Lotus and later Benetton cars.
20. Lucky Strike – Lotus & BAR
Classic white and red branding that became iconic in the tobacco-heavy era of F1, symbolizing the 1990s racing aesthetic.
19. Gauloises – Renault & Prost
French tobacco branding gave cars a distinctive look and reinforced the connection between French F1 teams and national pride.
18. Benson & Hedges – Jordan
Jordan’s creative gold-and-black livery turned heads, establishing the team as a fun, bold, and unpredictable contender.
17. Martini Racing – Various Teams
Famous for its white livery with blue and red stripes, Martini became a symbol of class and motorsport heritage, adorning cars like Brabham and Williams.
16. Rothmans – Williams
The blue-and-white Rothmans branding on Williams cars during the early ’90s became iconic with Nigel Mansell’s and Alain Prost’s championship runs.
15. Canon – Lotus
The Canon logo on Lotus in the 1980s brought a sleek, professional look that paired perfectly with Ayrton Senna’s early dominance.
14. John Player Special – Lotus
Black and gold, the JPS livery is one of F1’s most stylish and remembered designs, symbolizing elegance and performance.
13. Shell – Ferrari
More than just a logo, Shell’s partnership with Ferrari represents decades of technical collaboration and performance excellence.
12. Elf – Renault
The blue-and-white Elf branding is inseparable from Renault’s turbo era and the groundbreaking 1979–1985 seasons.
11. Honda – McLaren / RA272
Honda’s branding in the ’60s and ’80s is iconic, reflecting engineering innovation and the rise of turbo power in F1.
10. Petronas – Mercedes
Petronas’s teal-and-silver branding is synonymous with Mercedes’ dominance in the hybrid era, particularly with Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
9. Castrol – Lotus
Classic green-and-gold BP/ Castrol branding helped make Lotus cars stand out on the track in the ’70s.
8. Goodyear – Various Teams
Not strictly a car livery, but Goodyear’s logos on tires became synonymous with the golden age of F1 racing.
7. Pirelli – Modern F1
The exclusive tire supplier’s branding has become iconic in the 21st century, symbolizing tire strategy and race dynamics.
6. Mobil 1 – McLaren & Ferrari
Mobil 1’s branding represented technical sophistication, powering both McLaren and Ferrari’s championship pursuits.
5. BP – Lotus & Ferrari
BP’s green-and-gold colors made the cars striking and recognizable, especially in the ’60s and ’70s.
4. Marlboro – McLaren
Before Ferrari, McLaren sported the famous Marlboro red-and-white livery in the ’80s and ’90s, marking a period of championship success.
3. Red Bull – Toro Rosso / RB
Red Bull’s multiple F1 teams and sponsorships created a consistent, youth-driven identity that dominated the 2000s and beyond.
2. West – McLaren
The sleek black and silver West McLaren livery became legendary, especially during the late ’90s with Mika Häkkinen and young Lewis Hamilton.
1. Marlboro – Ferrari
Marlboro’s red-and-white livery is arguably the most famous in F1 history, a staple of Ferrari for decades until tobacco sponsorship ended.
