Privateer (motorsport)

In motorsport, a privateer is usually an entrant into a racing event that is not directly supported by an automobile or motorcycle manufacturer. Privateers teams are often found competing in rally, circuit racing and motorcycle racing events and often include competitors who build and maintain their own vehicles and motorcycles. In previous Formula One seasons, privately owned teams would race using the chassis of another team or constructor in preference to building their own car; the Concorde Agreement now prohibits this practice. Increasingly, the term is being used in a Formula One context to refer to teams, such as Williams, that are not at least part-owned by large corporations. Many privateer entrants compete for the enjoyment of the sport, and are not paid to be racing drivers.

Privateers in Formula One

From the inaugural 1950 season until 1981, several privateer teams entered chassis at Formula One Grands Prix. Some of them—such as Tyrrell and Williams—later began to build their own chassis and thus became constructors, as well as works teams. At the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix, Equipe Banco Occidental became the last privateer team to enter Formula One, using a Williams chassis.^[1] Privateer entries have been prohibited in Formula One since 1981 under the first Concorde Agreement.

Privateer wins at Formula One Grands Prix

As of the 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, there have been 20 victories by three privateer teams at Formula One Grands Prix: ten by Matra International/Tyrrell Racing, nine by Rob Walker Racing Team and one by FISA. The first win was achieved by Walker at the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix, and the last win was achieved by Tyrrell at the 1970 Spanish Grand Prix.

No.	Driver	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Grand Prix
1	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Cooper T43	Climax FPF 2.0 L4	D	1958 Argentine
2	Maurice Trintignant	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Cooper T45	Climax FPF 2.0 L4	D	1958 Monaco
3	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Cooper T51	Climax FPF 2.5 L4	D	1959 Portuguese
4	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Cooper T51	Climax FPF 2.5 L4	D	1959 Italian
5	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Lotus 18	Climax FPF 2.5 L4	D	1960 Monaco
6	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Lotus 18	Climax FPF 2.5 L4	D	1960 United States
7	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Lotus 18	Climax FPF 1.5 L4	D	1961 Monaco
8	Giancarlo Baghetti	FISA	Ferrari 156	Ferrari Type 178 1.5 V6	D	1961 French
9	Stirling Moss	R.R.C. Walker Racing Team	Lotus 18/21	Climax FPF 1.5 L4	D	1961 German
10	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS10	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1968 Dutch
11	Jo Siffert	Rob Walker/Jack Durlacher Racing Team	Lotus 49B	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	F	1968 British
12	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS10	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1968 German
13	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS10	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1968 United States
14	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS10	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 South African
15	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS80	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 Spanish
16	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS80	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 Dutch
17	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS80	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 French
18	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS80	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 British
19	Jackie Stewart	Matra International	Matra MS80	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1969 Italian
20	Jackie Stewart	Tyrrell Racing Organisation	March 701	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D	1970 Spanish
Source:^{[citation needed]}