Formula One (F1) teams are well followed these days with fans choosing to follow the brands they identify closely with.
Characteristics, key moments, stereotypes, all go into building the idea of what a F1 team is like.
What would Ferrari be without some strategy failures, Red Bull without its driver changes or Williams without its desperate urge to get back to the place it once used to be.
So, with the acknowledgement that this is a disgruntled Manchester United and Lincoln City fan making these comparisons, here is the 10 F1 teams as football clubs.
F1 Teams as Football clubs
McLaren – Liverpool
Now back in another era on top of the pile, Liverpool are on top of the Premier League and look set to claim another title.
Both struggled with being uncompetitive in the 2010’s but whether it’s through sheer determination, or clever people behind the scenes, both Liverpool and McLaren find themselves as the teams to beat this year.
Ferrari – Manchester United
This is arguably the easiest one of the bunch to compare.
Both Manchester United and Ferrari are teams with historic pasts. Both are huge names and probably the first thing you think of when you think about their respective sports.
Since their dominance in the early 21st century, both teams have struggled to replicate their winning streaks.
Red Bull – Chelsea
When you think about signing a lot of youngsters in the hope that they’ll eventually turn into superhero’s, you think about Chelsea in the world of football.
The F1 equivalent is Red Bull, who hire and fire young drivers like there’s no tomorrow.
That was proved this very season with the Liam Lawson situation, who finds himself back at Racing Bulls after just two races in 2025.
Mercedes – Arsenal
Maybe not so much in recent history, but as of right now, Mercedes and Arsenal seem to be a logical comparison to make.
Both Arsenal and Mercedes are struggling to make that final leap back to the very front of their sports but should still receive praise for how successful they are.
Aston Martin – Newcastle United
With new money coming into both Aston Martin and Newcastle United, and both teams beginning their climbs towards the front of the grid/table, this is the closest comparison possible.
Newcastle are probably a bit further on in their journey than Aston Martin, but with Adrian Newey at the team and new regulations to come in in 2026, maybe Aston Martin will catch up to the Magpies trajectory.
Alpine – Tottenham Hotspur
Maybe a controversial comparison to make, but both are trying to get towards the top but keep failing at that objective regardless of what they do.
With madmen in charge of both teams in Flavio Briatore and Daniel Levy, neither team is likely to make good on their stated objectives in the coming years.
Haas – Crystal Palace
This feels like a fair comparison.
Both teams are now relatively stable at an established level in both Formula One and the Premier League and through financial limitations, are unable to push on to the next level of success.
Racing Bulls – West Ham United
For any West Ham fans, this is likely to hurt, but there is one clear comparison to make here.
Whilst both Racing Bulls and West Ham United are able to make a good season, race, match, or result, both teams will always live in the shadows of their much bigger and richer and louder neighbours.
For Racing Bulls it’s Red Bull, for West Ham United, it’s the likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal.
Williams – Everton
Both Williams and Everton have experienced a lot of success in the past and have found themselves struggling in recent years to even stay afloat.
With Everton moving into a new home and getting back on their feet, and Williams showing much encouragement at the start of 2025, both teams should be hopeful of a return to competitiveness.
Sauber – Southampton
This is perhaps a harsh reflection on Sauber, but both teams find themselves as the most uncompetitive teams in their respective sports.
The gap for Sauber to get back in the middle of the F1 pack is perhaps not as large as it is for Southampton, but with both teams really struggling, it’s an east comparison to make.