Steeped in history and racing pedigree, Britain is considered by many to be the home of motorsport – including most of the world’s high-flying Formula 1 teams.
Several of the sport’s most successful outfits have established bases in the UK over the years, with ‘Motorsport Valley’ becoming world-renowned, helping create 1,000s of jobs in the area.
Formula 1’s first ever World Championship race – the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 1950 – is a symbol in itself of the UK’s importance to motorsport, with many team facilities now being housed in the surrounding locations.
Let’s take a look as to where Formula 1 teams have found homes in the UK, mapping out a true Motorsport Valley to showcase why Britain remains the beating heart of motorsport.
Motorsport Valley
Based in Northamptonshire and Oxfordshire, Motorsport Valley is a hub for motorsport companies and engineering expertise.
Several Formula 1 teams are based there, including Alpine, Aston Martin, McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull Racing and Williams. Motorsport Valley has earned comparisons to Silicon Valley because of its strength in engineering and technological advancements.
As the beating heart of F1 technology, Motorsport Valley brings together specialist suppliers and highly skilled engineers, making a major contribution to both the UK’s economy and global motorsport success.
1. Alpine
Alpine operates two main sites. The team runs its chassis development and team operations from the Whiteways Technical Centre in Enstone, while the engine division operates out of Viry-Châtillon, a suburb of Paris.
Costing €50 million, the Whiteways Technical Centre was built in 1991 for the Benetton F1 team and stands as one of the world’s first purpose-built Formula 1 facilities.
Key technical facilities at Enstone include a wind tunnel for airflow testing, a driver-in-loop simulator for virtual driving, and a seven-post test rig that replicates track forces. These, along with the chassis and production departments, support the car’s development.
The Alpine F1 Team has applied for planning permission to expand its Enstone headquarters, including a workshop extension to the Wind Tunnel Building and a two-storey infill to the main factory for extra production and plant space.
Key Information
Location: Enstone, Oxfordshire
Facility Size: 17,000 m² (180,000 ft²)
Employee Count: Approximately 1,000
Main Buildings:
- Main Factory
- Wind Tunnel Building
- Research and Development Facility
2. Aston Martin
The Aston Martin F1 Team operates from its Technology Campus at Silverstone. The site showcases a commitment to advanced engineering and drive to become a consistent world championship contender.
The Silverstone base began in 1991, when Jordan Grand Prix set up next to the circuit. The team underwent several ownership and name changes over the years, becoming Force India before being acquired by Lawrence Stroll.
The Canadian initially renamed it Racing Point, before later transforming it into the Aston Martin team.
Aston Martin’s Silverstone Technology Campus has undergone a £200 million expansion to support its Formula 1 ambitions. The campus now consists of three interconnected buildings designed to drive technical excellence.
Building One houses design, engineering and production, while Building Two includes a simulator, gym, restaurant and events space with a 14-metre curved screen for presentations. Building Three features a state-of-the-art wind tunnel, commissioned in 2023 to enhance aerodynamics and performance.
Key Information
Location: Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire
Facility Size: 37,000 m² (400,000 ft²)
Employee Count: Approximately 500
Main Buildings:
- Building One: Design and Production
- Building Two: Driver and Staff Facilities
- Building Three: Wind Tunnel and Aerodynamics
3. McLaren
The McLaren Technology Centre (MTC) in Woking has a yin-yang building design. Created by architect Norman Foster, it reflects former CEO Ron Dennis’s belief that inspiring surroundings help improve performance.
Spanning 50 hectares and surrounded by landscaped lakes, the MTC remains a fitting home for one of Formula 1’s most storied names. It stands as a symbol of McLaren’s commitment to performance, precision and innovation.
The MTC combines factory and museum, featuring a rotating display of historic McLaren cars, from Bruce McLaren’s 1929 Austin 7 to F1 title winners. It also houses McLaren Automotive and other Group operations, with key facilities including a wind tunnel, driver-in-loop simulator, and an upgraded machine shop that supports precision engineering.
Over the years, the site has expanded with the addition of the McLaren Production Centre (MPC), allowing for full-scale road car construction on the same campus. The two buildings together reflect the company’s wider ambitions across motorsport and high-performance automotive engineering.
Key Information
Location: Woking, Surrey
Facility Size: 78,000 m² (840,000 ft²)
Employee Count: Approximately 1,500
Main Buildings:
- McLaren Technology Centre
- McLaren Production Centre
- McLaren Special Operations
4. Mercedes
The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team operates from a high-tech headquarters in Brackley, Northamptonshire. This is where cars for George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are designed, built and developed. The site runs on renewable energy and reflects Mercedes’ strong focus on sustainability.
In recent years, the base has seen major upgrades, including a new wind tunnel extension and race bay renovations.
The facility also features a driver-in-loop simulator and engine dynos to support testing and development. In 2022, the access road was renamed Lauda Drive in honour of Austrian racing legend Niki Lauda.
Mercedes is now investing £70 million to turn the site into a modern, Silicon Valley-style campus. Plans include new buildings for staff wellbeing, solar-powered parking and a push to become Net Zero by 2040.
Just 28 miles away in Brixworth is Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, where every Mercedes F1 engine has been built since 1995. This facility also supplies power units to Aston Martin, McLaren, and Williams.
Key Information
Location: Brackley, Northamptonshire
Facility Size: 60,000 m² (645,835 ft²)
Employee Count: Approximately 1,250
Main Buildings:
- Technology Centre
- Health and Wellbeing Centre
- Marketing Building
5. Red Bull Racing
The Red Bull Technology Campus in Milton Keynes has been the team’s home since 2005, after Red Bull purchased the facility from Jaguar. It is a bustling centre with over 1,000 employees who design, manufacture, and assemble their championship-winning cars.
A major milestone for Red Bull came with the establishment of its own on-site engine facility, Red Bull Powertrains, located adjacent to the chassis department. This move marks a significant step towards full technical independence and control over their power units.
Although Honda continues to provide technical support for the power units this year, their collaboration will conclude at the end of the season. From 2026 onwards, Red Bull will partner with Ford, combining their in-house expertise with Ford’s power unit technology to develop the next generation of engines.
In parallel, Red Bull is investing heavily in the future with a new wind tunnel expected to be operational this year. The team also opened an Education Centre in 2024 to encourage young people to pursue STEM subjects.
Key Information
Location: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire
Facility Size: 65,000 m² (700,000 ft²)
Employee Count: Approximately 1,000
Main Buildings:
- Main Factory
- Driver Simulator
- Red Bull Powertrains
6. Williams
Williams Racing’s headquarters in Grove, Oxfordshire, is a highly specialised factory where nine championship-winning cars have been designed and built. The team converted the original office buildings into a facility dedicated to Formula 1 engineering and manufacturing.
In 2002, the site expanded with the creation of the Williams Experience Centre. It is also home to Williams Heritage, the division responsible for the restoration and maintenance of retired Williams cars.
Rich in motorsport history, the Grove complex remains central to Williams’ car development and ongoing pursuit of success in Formula 1. It combines cutting-edge technology with a deep respect for the team’s legacy.
A standout feature of the grounds is a topiary hedge shaped like a Formula 1 car in a pit stop, complete with a pit crew and front jack, adding distinctive character to the site.
Key Information
Location: Grove, Oxfordshire
Facility Size: Unknown
Employee Count: Approximately 1,100
Main Buildings:
- Main Factory
- Wind Tunnel
- Driver Simulator
Beyond the Main HQs
While their main headquarters are located abroad, both Kick Sauber and Racing Bulls maintain a strategic presence in the UK through smaller facilities that support their operations.
Haas
Though headquartered in North Carolina, Haas maintains a strategic presence in Motorsport Valley through its forward base in Banbury, Oxfordshire. Formerly owned by the Marussia team before being acquired by Haas in 2014, this facility now handles logistics, engineering, vehicle performance, race support, and more.
Haas also benefits from a design and CFD office in Maranello, Italy, strengthening its technical partnership with Ferrari.
Kick Sauber
Although based in Hinwil, Switzerland, Kick Sauber has recently expanded into Motorsport Valley with the opening of the Sauber Motorsport Technology Centre at Bicester Motion. This new UK facility supports technical development ahead of their transformation into Audi’s works team in 2026, strengthening their presence in the heart of F1 innovation.
Racing Bulls
While Racing Bulls retains its primary base in Faenza, Italy, the team has established a significant UK site in Milton Keynes. Positioned next to the Red Bull Technology Campus, this facility houses key departments including aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics, and CFD operations, enabling closer technical integration with the main Red Bull team.
Constructors’ Champions
Since the Constructors’ Championship began in 1958, only 15 teams have claimed the title. It is awarded to the manufacturer with the most points from both drivers each season.
Ferrari tops the all-time standings with 16 Constructors’ Championships, solidifying its status as the most successful team in F1 history.
Both McLaren and Williams have secured 9 titles, marking them as dominant forces, particularly during the 1980s and 1990s.
Mercedes has claimed 8 championships, most of them in the turbo-hybrid era of the 2010s, while Red Bull Racing has earned 6 titles, establishing itself as a modern powerhouse.
Alpine, as Renault, has won the Constructors’ Championship twice. Nine other teams have each won the title once, adding to the rich and ever-evolving history of the sport.
Want to see how things stand this season? Check out the 2025 Constructor’s Standings.
