Borgward Formula 1 Engines
Founder: Carl F.W. Borgward (1890-1963)
Nation: Germany
First GP: Britain 1959
Last GP: Only one GP entry (1959)
Best Result: 10th (1959 British GP)
Best Grid Position: 16th
Historical Background
Founded in Bremen in 1919, Borgward became known for innovative engineering:
- Introduced Germany’s first post-war OHC engine (1949 Hansa 1500)
- Pioneered automatic transmission options in Germany
- Produced the popular Isabella model (1954)
- Went bankrupt in 1961 under controversial circumstances
Formula 1 Participation
Championship Record: Never Classified
| Year | Status |
|---|---|
| 1959 | Not Classified |
| 1962 | Not Classified |
| 1963 | Not Classified |
Racing Statistics
- 1 Grand Prix entry
- 2 no starts
- 3 seasons of partial involvement
- 2 constructors (Cooper, Lotus)
- 2 drivers
- 139 laps raced
- 671 km raced
Engine Specifications
Borgward 1500 RS (1959)
Derived from Borgward’s production engines, the 1500 RS was a naturally aspirated inline-4 developed for Formula 1’s 1.5L era. Despite the company’s engineering expertise, it lacked competitiveness against specialized racing engines.
Configuration: Inline-4
Displacement: ~1,500 cm³
Origin: Based on production engine architecture
Teams: Cooper, Lotus (tested but never raced)
1959 British Grand Prix
The only race appearance of a Borgward engine in Formula 1:
- Car: Cooper T45
- Driver: Hans Herrmann (Germany)
- Qualified: 16th
- Result: 10th (5 laps down)
- Notable: Finished ahead of two other cars despite engine limitations
Why Borgward Failed in F1
- Production-Based Design: Not purpose-built for racing
- Power Deficit: Estimated 30-40hp less than Coventry-Climax engines
- Financial Constraints: Company nearing bankruptcy
- Driver Limitations: Hans Herrmann was primarily a sports car driver
- Development Focus: Resources directed to road cars
Technical Legacy
Though unsuccessful in F1, Borgward’s engineering influenced:
- Overhead camshaft designs in German auto industry
- Lightweight engine construction techniques
- Later BMW and Mercedes engine architecture
The 1500 RS engine survives in the Bremen Classic Motors museum as a testament to Borgward’s ambitious but brief F1 venture.
Modern Revival
In 2015, Borgward was revived as an electric vehicle brand. The company has expressed interest in motorsport but hasn’t returned to F1.
