Ferrari has competed in every Formula 1 season since its inception in 1950. Here is a comprehensive overview, including details on drivers, points, and both Drivers' and Constructors' Championships results.

1980

Following their championship-winning success in 1979, Ferrari entered the 1980 season with high expectations and an unchanged driver lineup. Jody Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve returned with momentum, but what unfolded became one of the most disappointing campaigns in the team’s history. Ferrari failed to adapt to the increasingly competitive ground-effect era, and the season quickly unraveled. By the end of the year, Ferrari had dropped to 10th in the Constructors’ Championship. We did a full feature on the 1980 Formula 1 season, the worst Formula 1 season in Scuderia Ferrari's season.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Gilles Villeneuve (CA)	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC	6	14	All
Jody Scheckter (ZA)	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC	2	19	All

 

The drivers: Scheckter, Villeneuve
Both Scheckter and Villeneuve competed in all 14 rounds, but the results bore no resemblance to their previous season's performance. Villeneuve managed to score six points, salvaging a few midfield finishes, while Scheckter (mind you, just a year later after becoming World Champion) scored only two. The low point came in Canada, where Scheckter failed to qualify, a rare and humiliating outcome for a reigning World Champion. He announced his retirement at the end of the season.

The cars: Ferrari 312T5 and 126C
Ferrari began the season with the 312T5, the final iteration of its once-dominant flat-12 T-series. While reliable in concept, the car was aerodynamically outdated and struggled to generate effective ground effect, putting it at a significant disadvantage. The wide "boxer" engine limited underfloor airflow, and the car suffered from both performance and reliability issues, managing just eight points and no podiums.

Toward the end of the year, Ferrari began testing the new 126C, featuring a turbocharged V6 engine, a dramatic shift in design philosophy. Though it didn’t race in 1980, the 126C laid the groundwork for Ferrari’s turbocharged future in Formula 1.

• Races: 14
• Drivers' Champion: Alan Jones
• Winning Constructor: Williams-Ford
• Scuderia Ferrari 1980 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 10th
• Scuderia Ferrari 1980 Formula 1 wins: 0 wins

1981

For the 1981 Formula 1 season, Scuderia Ferrari welcomed Didier Pironi to the team, replacing the retired Jody Scheckter. Pironi joined from Ligier, where he had shown promise with consistent point finishes and a fifth place in the previous year's standings. Hopes were high with a bold shift to turbocharged engines, but the season turned out to be a mix of remarkable highs and recurring setbacks. Ferrari’s first turbo-powered campaign exposed the strengths and weaknesses of their new direction in car development.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Gilles Villeneuve (CA)	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC	25	7th	All
Didier Pironi (FR)	Scuderia Ferrari SpA SEFAC	9	13th	All

 

The drivers: Villeneuve, Pironi
Gilles Villeneuve remained the team leader, delivering two unforgettable wins at Monaco and Jarama, Spain. These victories were hailed for his defensive driving, especially in Spain, where he held off a train of faster cars. However, his season was also marked by several retirements due to the car's fragility. Didier Pironi faced a steep learning curve adapting to the new Ferrari. He scored consistently when the car allowed it but ended the year with fewer points than his teammate.

The car: Ferrari 126CK
Ferrari introduced the 126CK chassis, the team's first turbocharged Formula 1 car. Powered by a 1.5-litre V6 engine producing over 600 bhp in qualifying trim, it was capable of blistering speed on straights but suffered from severe handling issues due to its chassis dynamics and throttle response.

Villeneuve famously likened the car’s behaviour to “a big red Cadillac.” While the 126CK was promising on high-speed circuits, it proved unreliable across a full race calendar. The season included numerous retirements, but the lessons learned paved the way for future turbocharged development.

• Races: 15
• Drivers' Champion: Nelson Piquet
• Winning Constructor: Williams-Ford
• Scuderia Ferrari 1981 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 5
• Scuderia Ferrari 1981 Formula 1 wins: 2 wins

1982 🏆

The 1982 Formula 1 season was one of the most tragic and turbulent in Ferrari’s history. It began under tension with a drivers' strike in South Africa and further unrest during the San Marino Grand Prix, where a partial boycott unfolded due to the FISA–FOCA conflict. While Ferrari demonstrated strong performance throughout the year, the season was overshadowed by loss and injury. Despite the emotional toll, the team managed to secure the Constructors’ Championship.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Didier Pironi (FR)	Ferrari	39	2nd	1-12
Patrick Tambay (FR)	Ferrari	25	7th	9-16
Gilles Villeneuve (CA)	Ferrari	6	15th	1-5
Mario Andretti (US)	Ferrari	4	19th	15, 16

 

The drivers: Villeneuve, Pironi, Tambay, Andretti
Gilles Villeneuve opened the season with flashes of his trademark aggression but was killed in a tragic crash during qualifying at Zolder in round five. Didier Pironi then became the team leader and championship favorite, but a high-speed crash at Hockenheim in wet conditions left him with career-ending injuries. Patrick Tambay stepped in from the Dutch Grand Prix onward and delivered consistent performances, including a victory in Germany. Ferrari also called up Mario Andretti for the final two races. The former World Champion with John Player Team Lotus earned a podium at Monza in an emotional return.

The car: Ferrari 126C2
Ferrari introduced the 126C2, a major evolution of its turbocharged project. Designed by Harvey Postlethwaite, it featured Ferrari’s first full monocoque chassis, using honeycomb aluminum panels for strength and weight reduction. The car was aerodynamically refined with cleaner bodywork and dual rear wings, while the twin-turbo V6 engine provided excellent straight-line speed. While powerful, the 126C2’s handling remained challenging, and the season was marred by both tragedy and technical strain. Nonetheless, its performance was enough to clinch the Constructors’ title.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Keke Rosberg
• Winning Constructor: Ferrari
• Scuderia Ferrari 1982 Formula 1 wins: 3 wins

1983 🏆

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
René Arnoux (FR)	Ferrari	49	3rd	All
Patrick Tambay (FR)	Ferrari	40	4th	All

 

The drivers: Arnoux, Tambay
René Arnoux quickly settled into the team, winning races in Canada, Germany and the Netherlands, plus finishing on the podium four times. He remained in the title fight until the penultimate round, ultimately finishing third in the Drivers’ Championship. Patrick Tambay also enjoyed a strong season, claiming a home win for Ferrari at Imola and earning several podiums.

The cars: Ferrari 126C2B, 126C3
Ferrari began the year with the 126C2B, a revised version of the previous season’s chassis adapted to meet new flat-bottom regulations that banned ground-effect tunnels. The car still produced around 800 bhp in qualifying trim thanks to its powerful turbocharged V6 engine. Midway through the season, Ferrari introduced the 126C3 at the British Grand Prix. Lighter and aerodynamically refined, the new model delivered instant success, helping Arnoux win in Germany shortly after its debut. While fast and competitive, both cars suffered occasional reliability setbacks.

• Races: 15
• Drivers' Champion: Nelson Piquet
• Winning Constructor: Ferrari
• Scuderia Ferrari 1983 Formula 1 wins: 4 wins

1984

Ferrari entered the 1984 Formula 1 season with a change in the driver lineup after Patrick Tambay moved to Renault. Michele Alboreto joined from Tyrrell, becoming the first Italian driver signed by Enzo Ferrari since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1963. Partnered with René Arnoux, the team focused on building upon their Constructors’ title win from the previous year. While McLaren dominated the season, Ferrari remained a consistent front-runner and secured second place in the championship standings.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Michele Alboreto (IT)	Ferrari	30.5	4th	All
René Arnoux (FR)	Ferrari	27	6th	All

 

The drivers: Alboreto, Arnoux
Michele Alboreto quickly established himself as a reliable and competitive presence within the team. His highlight came in the third round at the Belgian Grand Prix, where he claimed Ferrari’s only win of the season. René Arnoux added several podiums to the team’s tally, consistently finishing in the points and supporting Ferrari’s strong overall result. Both drivers completed the season with solid performances, despite lacking the ultimate pace to challenge McLaren.

The car: Ferrari 126C4
Ferrari competed with the 126C4, the final development of the 126 series that had debuted in 1981. The car featured aerodynamic refinements, improved cooling, and better reliability over its predecessor. Powered by a turbocharged V6, it was strong on high-speed circuits and handled well over longer race distances. Although no longer the most advanced car on the grid, the 126C4 allowed Ferrari to finish in the points consistently and close out the era of the 126 chassis on a respectable note.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Niki Lauda
• Winning Constructor: McLaren-TAG
• Scuderia Ferrari 1984 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 2nd
• Scuderia Ferrari 1984 Formula 1 wins: 1 win

1985

The 1985 Formula 1 season began with unexpected changes for Ferrari. René Arnoux departed the team after the opening round in Brazil, prompting Ferrari to bring in Stefan Johansson as his replacement. Johansson had initially signed with Toleman but withdrew due to the team's tyre supply issues, briefly substituting for Stefan Bellof at Tyrrell before joining Ferrari. With Michele Alboreto returning as the team leader, Ferrari showed early signs of being title contenders, but a series of reliability problems late in the year saw both championships slip away.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Michele Alboreto (IT)	Ferrari	53	2nd	All
Stefan Johansson (SW)	Ferrari	26	7th	2-16
René Arnoux (FR)	Ferrari	3	18th	1

 

The drivers: Alboreto, Johansson, Arnoux
Michele Alboreto had a strong season, claiming two victories (Canada and Germany) and a total of eight podium finishes. He led the Drivers’ Championship for a large portion of the year and was poised to challenge Alain Prost until four consecutive retirements at the end of the season dropped him to second overall. Stefan Johansson adapted quickly to Ferrari, delivering several points finishes and one podium. René Arnoux, who began the season in Brazil, was released after just one race, scoring 3 points..

The car: Ferrari 156/85
Ferrari introduced the all-new 156/85, built to comply with updated FIA regulations requiring frontal crash tests for all chassis. The car featured the Tipo 031/2 turbocharged V6 engine, producing around 750 bhp in race trim. Early in the season, the car demonstrated impressive speed and relative reliability. However, recurring engine and turbocharger failures later in the year compromised its competitiveness. While fast, the 156/85 became increasingly fragile as the season progressed, particularly under race-day stress.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Alain Prost
• Winning Constructor: McLaren-TAG
• Scuderia Ferrari 1985 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 2nd
• Scuderia Ferrari 1985 Formula 1 wins: 2 wins

1986

Scuderia Ferrari entered the 1986 Formula 1 season with an unchanged driver lineup of Michele Alboreto and Stefan Johansson. While Alboreto was considered the lead driver, it was Johansson who often delivered stronger results throughout the year. Ferrari showed signs of competitiveness, but lacked the consistency and outright pace to challenge the front-running teams like Williams-Honda, McLaren-TAG and Lotus-Renault. The season ended without a single win and marked a year of unfulfilled potential for the Italian team.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Stefan Johansson (SW)	Ferrari	23	5th	All
Michele Alboreto (IT)	Ferrari	14	9th	All

 

The drivers: Johansson, Alboreto
Stefan Johansson emerged as Ferrari’s top performer in 1986, scoring four podium finishes and finishing fifth in the Drivers’ Championship. His steady and consistent driving helped Ferrari salvage points even when the car struggled. Michele Alboreto endured a more difficult year, managing just one podium finish and often being outpaced by his teammate. Both drivers finished all 16 rounds, but both were not able to fight for victories.

The car: Ferrari F1/86
The Ferrari F1/86 was a new design for the season, though it carried over many elements from the previous year’s 156/85. While promising in the early rounds, the car quickly fell behind its rivals in engine performance and aerodynamic development. Reliability also became a growing issue as the season wore on. Despite its sleek design and powerful turbocharged V6, the F1/86 lacked the balance and refinement needed to compete at the front, finishing the year without a win, pole position, or fastest lap.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Alain Prost
• Winning Constructor: Williams-Honda
• Scuderia Ferrari 1986 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 4th
• Scuderia Ferrari 1986 Formula 1 wins: 0 wins

1987

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Gerhard Berger (AT)	Ferrari	36	5th	All
Michele Alboreto (IT)	Ferrari	17	7th	All

 

The drivers: Berger, Alboreto
Gerhard Berger brought energy to Ferrari and made a strong impression in his first year with the team. After early reliability issues, he became a consistent front-runner in the latter half of the season, winning in Japan and Australia and finishing fifth in the Drivers’ Championship. Michele Alboreto, meanwhile, had a more difficult year, scoring only one podium and finishing seventh overall with fewer than half the points of his teammate.

The car: Ferrari F1/87
Ferrari introduced the all-new F1/87, a sleeker and more refined design than its predecessor. Developed by Harvey Postlethwaite, the car featured improved aerodynamics and a potent turbocharged engine capable of producing around 950 bhp in qualifying trim. While the car was unreliable early on, its pace improved significantly over the season. Ferrari scored two wins and four podiums with the F1/87.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Nelson Piquet
• Winning Constructor: Williams-Honda
• Scuderia Ferrari 1987 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 4th
• Scuderia Ferrari 1987 Formula 1 wins: 2 wins

1988

The 1988 Formula 1 season was the final chapter of the turbocharged era. While McLaren dominated the year, Ferrari remained persistent and charged, especially after the passing of founder Enzo Ferrari in August. The team’s perseverance paid off at Monza, where Gerhard Berger secured a symbolic and hard-fought victory, denying McLaren a perfect season. It was a fitting tribute to the man who built the Scuderia.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Gerhard Berger (AT)	Ferrari	41	3rd	All
Michele Alboreto (IT)	Ferrari	24	5th	All

 

The drivers: Berger, Alboreto
Gerhard Berger led the Ferrari team with an aggressive and determined driving style. He scored 4 podiums and secured a memorable win in Italy, becoming the only non-McLaren driver to win a race in 1988. Michele Alboreto, in his final season with Ferrari, provided consistent support and contributed points, finishing fifth in the standings. Together, the pair helped Ferrari secure second place in the Constructors’ Championship.

The car: Ferrari F1/87/88C
Ferrari entered the season with the F1/87/88C, an evolution of the previous year’s chassis. Designed by Gustav Brunner with technical direction from John Barnard, the car featured improved aerodynamics and a revised suspension system. Powered by the 1.5-liter Tipo 033/033A turbocharged V6 engine, it produced around 640 bhp in race trim, though it couldn’t match the outright pace or reliability of the McLarens.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Ayrton Senna
• Winning Constructor: McLaren-Honda
• Scuderia Ferrari 1988 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 2nd
• Scuderia Ferrari 1988 Formula 1 wins: 1 win

1989

The 1989 Formula 1 season ushered in a new era for Scuderia Ferrari as the sport transitioned from turbocharged to naturally aspirated engines. Ferrari responded with a leap forward in design and technology, debuting the 640 chassis and an all-new 3.5-liter V12 engine. While the car showed moments of brilliance, the season was shaped by mechanical challenges and fierce competition from McLaren-Honda. Still, Ferrari secured three victories.

Drivers	Team	Points	Drivers'	Rounds
Nigel Mansell (UK)	Ferrari	38	4th	All
Gerhard Berger (AT)	Ferrari	21	7th	1-2, 4-16

 

The drivers: Mansell, Berger
Ferrari’s 1989 lineup featured Britain’s Nigel Mansell and Austria’s Gerhard Berger. Mansell made an immediate impact, winning on his Ferrari debut in Brazil and adding another victory in Hungary. Gerhard Berger suffered a terrifying crash at the San Marino Grand Prix in Imola, which caused him to miss the following race in Monaco. It was a tough season for Berger: he entered 15 Grands Prix, retired from 12, yet still managed to score three podiums, including a victory at the Portuguese Grand Prix. 

The car: Ferrari 640 (F1-89)
The Ferrari 640, also referred to as the F1-89, was one of the most advanced cars on the grid. Designed by John Barnard, it introduced Formula 1’s first semi-automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The car’s 3.5-liter V12 engine provided strong power delivery, but reliability issues—particularly with the gearbox and hydraulics—hampered early results. Despite its fragility, the 640 secured three wins and laid the technical foundation for Ferrari’s next generation of cars.

• Races: 16
• Drivers' Champion: Alain Prost
• Winning Constructor: Mclaren-Honda
• Scuderia Ferrari 1989 Formula 1 Constructor’s results: 3rd
• Scuderia Ferrari 1989 Formula 1 wins: 3 wins