From Penske to Haas: Ranking the Top Five American Constructors in Formula 1 History

Which American F1 team was the best? Explore the history of Penske, Eagle, and Haas as we rank the top 5 U.S. constructors in Grand Prix history.

By: AXL Media

Published: Feb 26, 2026, 12:25 PM EST

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Motorsport.com

The American Legacy in a European Sport

Formula 1’s recent explosion in American popularity often overlooks the deep, if sporadic, history of U.S. constructors in the world’s premier racing series. From the high-tech innovations of the 1960s to the current budget-cap era, American teams have frequently defied expectations to compete against traditional giants like Ferrari and McLaren. Ranking these teams requires a balance of raw statistics—such as wins and podiums—and the cultural impact they left on a sport that has not always been welcoming to Western Atlantic outsiders.

1. Team Penske: The Gold Standard of American Versatility

Roger Penske’s foray into Formula 1 remains the benchmark for American success abroad. Competing between 1974 and 1976, Penske Racing achieved what few others could: a genuine victory on European soil. At the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, John Watson piloted the Penske PC4 to a win just one year after the tragic death of the team’s lead driver, Mark Donohue. While Penske ultimately withdrew to focus on IndyCar dominance, their F1 tenure proved that American engineering and management could conquer the Grand Prix circuit with efficiency and speed.

2. Anglo American Racers (Eagle): Aesthetic and Technical Mastery

Founded by American legends Dan Gurney and Carroll Shelby, Anglo American Racers (AAR) produced the Eagle T1G, widely considered one of the most beautiful and innovative cars in F1 history. Gurney’s victory at the 1967 Belgian Grand Prix remains a singular achievement: he is the only American to win a Formula 1 race in a car of his own construction. The Eagle was pioneer in the use of exotic materials like titanium and magnesium, and while reliability issues plagued its longevity, its peak performance set a standard for American ambition.