McLaren is F1’s biggest spender
'Business F1' magazine contends that the Woking-based outfit, spending a reputed $400 million (US) a year, pips the Japanese carmaker – at $393 million – to the dubious post.
Third and fourth are Honda ($382m) and BMW Sauber ($378m), leaving Ferrari just fifth in the ranking with an estimated annual spend of $329m.
Reigning drivers' and constructors champion (and 2006 title leader) Renault ranked a distant sixth by spending around $300m, followed perhaps surprisingly by Red Bull ($201m).
Williams ($134m) leads the remaining privateers, but Super Aguri ($95m) outpace both MF1 ($76m) and – bringing up the rear – Red Bull's junior team Scuderia Toro Rosso, at $66m. Interestingly, though, Phillip Morris' sponsorship of Ferrari – at $97m a year – amounts to more than the annual budget of any of the final three teams.
Altogether, it's a mind-boggling collective spend of more than 2.5 billion dollars. [Editor's Note: Quite expensive for 19 follow-the-leader parades….er we mean races.]