Ferrari

Ferrari is F1’s founding team and its emotional center. Every Ferrari victory is a national event in Italy. Every Ferrari mistake is a national tragedy. There is no equivalent franchise in any other sport.

They’ve won 16 constructors’ championships — more than anyone — and built dynasties around Niki Lauda in the 70s, then Michael Schumacher and technical director Ross Brawn from 2000 to 2004 (five straight titles). They haven’t won a championship since 2008. That drought is the running story.

Watch a race weekend at Monza and you’ll understand why this team is different. The hills behind the circuit fill with red flares the moment a Ferrari leads. They don’t have fans; they have a religion.