Ferrari, Renault, Honda. Engine manufacturers which have dominated the sport over eras. Though, none of them have produced the most successful motor ever. This accolade belongs to the one and only… Ford-Cosworth DFV. All starts in the mid 60s, when the engine capacity is doubled to 3000cc for naturally aspirated machines. With Lotus needing competitive thrust, founder Colin Chapman eventually closed a deal with Ford and Cosworth to appositely develop a drivetrain for his F1 cars. Debtuing at the 1967 DUTCH GRAND PRIX, Jim Clark immediately triumphed, however teammate Graham Hill retired following technical matters. Nevertheless, something quickly became clear. The contenders' engines were either overweight, unreliable or had become questionable for their future. Moreover, the DFV was well-priced, meaning each private team could simply purchase the product and run it on its chassis. Ferrari and BRM were the only equipes to use their personal construction throughout.
In fact, from 1973 until 1975 at least 80% of the teams utilised the DFV. With the Maranello-based Scuderia victorious in 1975, 1977 and 1979 with double titles and further CONSTRUCTORS' CHAMPIONSHIPS in 1976 and 1982, each other crown was taken by Ford-Cosworth-backed contenders. Impressively, 77 FORMULA 1 podiums consisted out of DFV-powered vehicles, whereas in 1969 and 1973 all GRAND PRIX were won driving with the commercial DFV. In numbers, it won 155 races, powered 12 Drivers' and 10 CONSTRUCTORS' titles.
To remain at the cutting edge of performance, ground-effect was perfectly timed and massively advantaged the private racing squads. This aerodynamic benefit is achieved via curved underbodies of the car, leading to the air being accelerated underneath them, creating a suction force named downforce that ultimately pushes the vehicle on the ground massively increasing the tyres' grip. The 90° angle of the V8-DFV brilliantly enabled those shapes, but flat Ferrari V12's would come in the way and quickly be obsolete. The domination came to an end with wealthy companies fabricating 1500cc turbocharged engines which generated over 150BHP at first, but were heavier and less powerful on inital acceleration, so-called turbo-lag. Still, privates started new partnerships for the flourishing technology. The concept of the DFV was evolved, winning its final race in 1983 with Michele Alboreto and started for the closing attempt at the 1991 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX.