# The 6 Best F1 Technical Directors of All Time

> Wind tunnels, pencil sketches and rulebook loopholes: the people who drew winning cars rarely get the trophy photos.

*By YPB Team · Published October 22, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/the-6-best-f1-technical-directors-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Adrian Newey** — score 1000/1000
   Aerodynamicist behind title-winning cars for Williams, McLaren and Red Bull.
2. **Colin Chapman** — score 500/1000
   Lotus founder who pioneered the monocoque and ground effect.
3. **Mauro Forghieri** — score 389/1000
   Ferrari's chief designer through the 1960s and 70s, behind several world titles.
4. **John Barnard** — score 389/1000
   Carbon-fibre chassis pioneer at McLaren and designer of the Ferrari semi-automatic gearbox car.
5. **Ross Brawn** — score 0/1000
   Architect of the Benetton and Ferrari Schumacher dynasties and the 2009 Brawn GP title.
6. **Paddy Lowe** — score 0/1000
   McLaren and Mercedes technical chief during the 2014 hybrid-era breakthrough.

Tags: formula-1, racing, motorsport, engineers, technical directors