BMW and Renault not quite up to speed in trying to tame the Prancing Horse of Formula 1

Even though Formula 1 began in the late 1940s, the first official world championship did not begin until 1950. The current dominators are, of course, the Italian giants Scuderia Ferrari and the British racing team McLaren, now in formal partnership with Mercedes.

It is a tough battle being a constructor at the top of the world racing team, with this year alone already seeing Super Aguri leave the 2008 season.

Ferrari have dominated right from the start, winning their debut title in 1951. They have since won 15 championships and are the current champions with their Finnish driver Kimi Raikkonen.

McLaren - who have been in partnership with Ford, Porsche Turbo, Honda Turbo and Honda - are now in their present form of McLaren Mercedes. They have won eight constructors' world championships, with the last of their 11 drivers' championships coming in 1999 with two-time champion Mika Hakkinen.