OPINION: Top five American Formula One teams

Written by Annalise Huang & Lorenzo Baer, Edited by Morgan Holiday

The relationship between American teams and F1 is a long affair, dating back to the early years of the series | Credit: IMRRC (collage by DIVEBOMB)

At the 1921 French Grand Prix, Jimmy Murphy became the first American driver to win a true Grand Prix in an American car, in the wheel of the now famous Duesenberg II 183. It was more than a victory—it was the start of the history of all-American efforts in the greater racing world.

The historical roots of Formula One lie in Europe, with modest American viewership skyrocketing especially in recent years. Even so, American F1 teams, though farther and fewer between than their European rivals, are no strangers to success. 

A few American enterprises were excluded from our top list, including Team Haas (USA) Ltd., which ran rebadged Lolas in the mid-1980s and scored a handful of points before folding, or Vel's Parnelli Jones Racing, which had a small stint in the category between 1974-76. 

A few others simply existed in more amateurish terms, acting as small privateers and one-off entries, with only brief seconds of brilliance interspersed with failure and defeat.

With varying levels of achievement, only a handful of American teams have competed in F1 with intentional, multi-race efforts. So, here’s our top five– ranked.

5. Scarab

The lackluster Scarab project was of significant importance to American motorsport, as it was the first full-works entry by an US team into the F1 | Credit: Lance Reventlow archive

Though Scarab’s actual performance in F1 was a letdown, the history of the team is what gives it a spot in our top five. In many ways, it paved the way for future American enterprises in the sport.

Scarab was a constructor backed by wealthy American heir Lance Reventlow. Making its debut in 1960, the team built front-engined machinery just as rear-engined design took Europe by storm. By then, the design was nearly obsolete.

The team participated in a total of five races, with nine entries split between its drivers Chuck Daigh, Lance Reventlow and Richie Ginther. Scarab ranks fifth not for its race results – which are virtually nonexistent – but rather, what the team represents for American F1 teams.

Scarab opened the door for American engineering ambitions, breaking the unspoken expectation that only European cars could exist in F1. 

4. Haas

In a life mostly composed of disappointments, Haas at least can boast the honour of being the longest-running American team in F1, with 10 seasons under its belt | Credit: Haas F1 Team

Established by NASCAR Cup Series team owner Gene Haas in April 2014, Haas made its F1 debut during the 2016 season. They are the only American F1 team currently on the grid.

Based in Kannapolis, North Carolina, the cars are constructed in close partnerships with Ferrari and Dallara. In 2024, Haas announced a new technical partnership with Toyota to join their collaborator lineup.

Haas had a strong debut in Australia, with Romain Grosjean scoring points at the team’s first race. Since then, the team has had brief moments of competitiveness, notably finishing in fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship in 2018.

While Haas deserves some credit for solidifying a stable presence for American teams in recent F1 history, their consistent midfield performance on the track mirrors their position on our list. With nearly a decade in the sport, they haven’t managed to fulfill their early promise.

3. Penske

The loss of Mark Donohue at the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix cast a shadow over the Penske/F1 project, a tragedy from which the team would never fully recover | Credit: F1

Penske joined F1 in 1974, with UK designed cars representing an American enterprise. The highlight for this team came in the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, where John Watson gave Penske its first and only win. 

Notably, this wasn’t Roger Penske’s first involvement in F1, with “The Captain” taking part in the 1961 and 1962 United States Grands Prix as a driver. Years later, such experience would be valuable in officially establishing the Penske name in the books of F1 history.

Across its three seasons, Penske scored 21 championship points before focusing their resources once again in their dominant NASCAR and Indycar operations. 

Penske earns a spot in our top three not just for their single victory, but for proving American teams that are dominant in their own country’s racing championships could also be competitive in F1.

2. Anglo American Racers

Dan Gurney is the main name behind the AAR legend, being recognized both as a charismatic boss and as one of the best pilots of his time | Credit: Anglo American Racers 

Founded by American racing legend Dan Gurney, Anglo American Racers (AAR), debuted at the 1966 Belgian Grand Prix. They quickly solidified themselves as a solid competitor, scoring their first points with a fifth place finish just three weeks later at the French Grand Prix. 

In 1967, AAR made history when Gurney won the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. With the exception of Jimmy Murphy’s victory at the 1921 French Grand Prix, this made AAR the first and only true American constructor to date to win a race with an American driver behind the wheel. 

Despite their iconic All-American victory, AAR misses out on first place for their longevity in the sport. Their success was a brief flash of brilliance, but lacks the longevity and legacy of our first place winner.

1. Shadow

Shadow was the epitome of American teams in F1, combining pioneering spirit with good results, in an intense life that lasted eight seasons in the series | Credit: Don Nichols archive

Shadow Racing Cars was founded by Don Nichols in California, debuting in F1 at the 1973 South African Grand Prix. Competing until 1980, the team quickly became a respected midfield competitor.

Over eight seasons, the team scored seven podiums and their sole victory at the 1977 Austrian Grand Prix with Alan Jones. Beyond their stats, Shadow became grounds for rising talent in F1, giving opportunities for future stars like Jones and Riccardo Patrese to debut.

Shadow earns our spot as the top American F1 team for its longevity and achievements in the sport. Unlike Scarab, Haas, or Penske, Shadow established themselves as a consistently competitive constructor across multiple seasons. And despite AAR’s historic win at the Belgian Grand Prix, Shadow sets themselves apart for their overall contributions to F1– making them our most successful American F1 team to date.

American teams in F1 have been rare and often fleeting, but have made their own unique impact on the sport. And the next test is just around the corner.

With General Motors set to bring Cadillac onto the grid in 2026, the F1 world awaits the debut of a new American team. The legacies of their predecessors shows the challenges and potential alike of American F1 teams and what's to come.