Formula One teams - 2006 season and beyond

Competing in Formula One is not for the modestly financed and often it is down to sheer money, whether a team can afford to continue in the sport. As a result several teams come and go each season. Some of the teams are backed by major manufacturers and have been in the sport for decades, such as Ferrari, while others have been muscling their way in recently, like as Toyota. Some teams are the result of a partnership between a manufacturer and racing company, such as McLaren-Mercedes.

After 2005 three teams left Formula One, although some were simply taken over and renamed. There were also some significant changes to manufacturers, with Jaguar leaving the sport and BMW backing out of the long-running Williams Team to concentrate on the new Swiss Sauber-BMW Team (formerly Petronas). Honda took over the BAR (British American Racing) Team, while sponsoring a new, lesser team.

Sponsors also play an important role in the identification of a team, and in 2006 Red Bull sponsors two teams, the second named as Torro Rosso – to appeal to the Latino market. Ultimately the teams with the largest budget prevail and win the races, but simply competing is big business for some.

The 10 teams for 2006 are;