Member-only story
10 iconic quotes from the history of Formula 1
Who said what? — Famous Quotes from the World of Formula 1
Formula 1 stands as one of the most fiercely competitive sports worldwide, where drivers and teams engage in neck-and-neck battles, striving for the highest standings, the most substantial prize money, and the coveted championships that inscribe their names in the annals of sporting history. While drivers, team leaders, commentators, and those working in the field of Formula 1 are known to be metronomic and relentless on the track, they have also gifted us with a treasure trove of inspirational, iconic, and occasionally light-hearted quotes that will endure in the memories of motorsport enthusiasts for generations to come.
This article contains a carefully curated collection of quotes and musings from a diverse array of eloquent personalities hailing from the Formula 1 Paddock. Spanning the past and the present, these figures, whether drivers, team principals, or even commentators, represent inspirational icons, both on and off the racetrack, drawn from various backgrounds and eras of Formula 1. What unites them all is the universal adoration and reverence their words have earned from the global motorsport community.
“Aerodynamics are for those who can’t build engines”
— Enzo Ferrari
A renowned expression that holds a lasting place in the hearts of the motorsport community, this well-known quote is attributed to Enzo Ferrari. For those curious about its origins, the tale unfolds as follows.
In 1960, during the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, Belgian driver Paul Frère, behind the wheel of a Ferrari 250 GTO alongside his compatriot co-driver Olivier Gendebien, approached Enzo Ferrari with concerns about the car’s top speed being hindered by its windshield.
Enzo offered a straightforward response:
“There’s no need to fret about aerodynamics if you’ve built an exceptional engine”
Nevertheless, Frère and Gendebien went on to secure a resounding victory in the race, finishing approximately four laps ahead of the second-place competitor.
While this saying would’ve had more significance through the 1960s when aerodynamics and…
