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.

'Alonso is the one driver outside the big two to truly threaten, but must have the consistency of a strong car behind him and the Renault RS27 seems to not have the pace of recent years'


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.

So what chance do the remaining teams have of competing with the giants who are taking the bulk of the constructors points and with their drivers dominating?

BMW Sauber

With young Polish driver Robert Kubica and experienced German Nick Heidfeld, they are currently second in the constructors' race. Both their drivers are having success in the team that has been in existence since 1993. They probably have the best chance of breaking the big two. Their team has never won a title - nor a race. Kubica is proving to be a real title threat but needs his car to match the pace and reliability of Ferrari and McLaren.

Williams

The Williams team has won nine constructors' championships and seven drivers' championships, with the team having worked with numerous manufacturers since forming in 1975. Their two drivers - Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima - are inexperienced, with Rosberg having the team's only podium finish. They are the fourth team of the four big teams of the recent decades and, while fourth in the current constructors' championship, are off the pace.

Toyota

A team determined to have success at the highest level of motorsport, with as much money spent as the big teams in recent years. They are also the supplier of engines to the Williams team. They have Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock as their principal drivers this year, but have had less successful seasons since their debut in 2002.

Red Bull

While the team currently in their fourth year are struggling behind the bigger teams, their drivers - Scottish racer David Coulthard and Mark Webber - are both accomplished racers, with David winning 13 Formula 1 races. Reliability can be a problem, but both drivers often compete in the top ten.

Renault

Masses of racing pedigree, being the team which the famous Alain Prost drove for. The Renault engines dominated with Benetton and Williams in the 1990s and they have won two world championships, most recently with Fernando Alonso, who is now back with them for a second stint. Their second driver is Nelsinho Piquet. Renault have struggled recently after Alonso's sabbatical with McLaren. Alonso is the one driver outside the big two to truly threaten, but must have the consistency of a strong car behind him and the Renault RS27 seems to not have the pace of recent years.

Honda

With two solid drivers in Rubens Barrichello and Jenson Button the team is stronger on paper than they are with performance. Formed in 1964, they have not had a lot of success. Had title successes as engine suppliers in the 1980s, but as a team have struggled and are not currently challenging.

Toro Rosso and Force India

The two bottom dwellers of Formula 1 are the last-placed teams in the current constructors' championship. While both teams have won races with their drivers, they are plagued with inconsistency and will struggle while coming to grips with the elite racing field.

It will be hard for the rest to compete with the Prancing Horse and McLaren giants, and this year will not be any different with the talents of Kimi Raikkonen and Lewis Hamilton leading their teams. But with Alonso and Kubica proving strong drivers for their teams, they may yet upset the balance of Formula 1 supremacy.

PREDICTION: Ferrari to win this year's constructors' championship, with McLaren second, Renault third and BMW just behind them.