Every F1 Car, Drawn with Love: The Monumental Work of Sauro Torreggiani
In a world where Formula 1 is often defined by speed and spectacle, few take the time to celebrate the quiet artistry that keeps its history alive. Italian illustrator Sauro Torreggiani has done just that, dedicating himself to an extraordinary mission: to hand-draw every Formula 1 car ever built. His work is not just about design or nostalgia, but about preserving the full story of the sport, from its legendary champions to the forgotten machines that once roared across the world’s circuits.
Formula 1 has always been about speed, glory, and innovation, yet behind every race are cars that never made the headlines, machines that did their part and then faded into memory. Since 2012, Sauro Torreggiani has been bringing them all back to life: every single Formula 1 car ever built, from 1950 to today, meticulously drawn by hand.
His wife, Antonietta, calls it “a monumental work.” And she’s right. No one has ever attempted such a complete visual history of Formula 1. Writers have filled shelves with books about the sport, but Sauro has done something different: he has shown us every car, winners and losers alike, so that none are forgotten.
A Labor of Love
Sauro Torreggiani was born on April 3, 1957, in the province of Mantua, the same region that gave birth to the legendary driver Tazio Nuvolari. He has been drawing Formula 1 cars since he was a boy, using markers and Rapidographs to create a portfolio of more than 600 illustrations.
His passion for racing began in 1971, when he watched on television the unforgettable duel between Jacky Ickx in a Ferrari and Pedro Rodríguez in a BRM.
In 2012, Sauro transitioned from hand drawings to digital illustration. Entirely self-taught, he immersed himself in the craft and, as of October 2025, he has produced more than 4,800 models, including all variations across the seasons.
To give an example: in 1983, the Arrows A6 faced severe financial difficulties and constantly changed sponsors to stay in the Championship. Its livery changed at nearly every race, and Sauro drew every single version. That’s why it’s no exaggeration to call his work a colossal and extraordinary achievement, detailed and comprehensive, capturing not just the legends of the sport but also the forgotten and unlucky machines that together tell the full story of Formula 1.
Decades of Motorsport History
In 2023, Sauro began organizing his car drawings into booklets designed to narrate each Formula 1 season, starting from 1950. Each collection is far more than a series of drawings; it’s a time capsule, offering a window into how technology, design, and imagination in motorsport have evolved over the decades.
Every volume includes all the races of the season, with starting grids, results, standings, points, and pole positions. The years 1950 to 1960 have been completed and published. The 1961–1969 seasons are currently in progress, with Sauro and his team, graphic designer Matteo Lumia, editor Massimo Piciotti, and historical consultant Marino Cervini, contributing to their completion. Volumes covering 1970 to 1999 have already been finalized, and the collection extends to include all Formula 1 cars from 2000 onward.
Why It Matters
What makes Torreggiani’s work so remarkable is its completeness. Formula 1 is a sport filled with heroes and legends, but also with stories of broken cars, failed experiments, and teams that came and went. Sauro’s work gives all of them a place.
When you consider the sheer scale of it, you realize Antonietta is right: no museum, publisher, or institution has ever tried to assemble such a comprehensive visual archive.
“It’s a contribution to the history of F1 that no one else in the world has ever attempted,” says Antonietta, Sauro’s greatest supporter. “I met Sauro when I was 35; I was on my way to becoming an old single lady in Milan, my hometown, because until then, no man had ever wanted to commit to me. But not long after we met, Sauro said: ‘If you want to have a child, that’s no problem for me.’ And that’s how it was. Sauro is the happy father of two daughters, as well as an older son from a previous marriage.”
Her words capture not just their personal story, but also the supportive and passionate partnership that has shaped Sauro’s work.
A Family Project, A Shared Passion
“We are Italian, we are artisans, we are small,” says Antonietta. “And I’m truly grateful to everyone who helps us make our work known.”
The Torreggianis publish their volumes as independent authors, working every day in Italy with devotion and perseverance. “We are sure that this work can be appreciated by all those who love Formula 1, such an extraordinary sport,” continues Antonietta, who serves as coordinator and editorial secretary for the project.
Formula 1 Lives in Every Line
Each drawing created by Sauro is far more than an illustration. His work is not only historical, bibliographical, and documentary, but also embodies:
Engineering precision: capturing every technical detail of the cars, from proportions to components, with accuracy and care.
Mechanical understanding: every line and curve reveals deep knowledge of automotive engineering.
Balanced composition: the cars are artistically arranged — “more beautiful drawn than in real life.”
Realistic materiality: textures of metal, carbon fiber, rubber, and paint are rendered with lifelike depth.
Artistic color: colors don’t just reflect reality, they enhance it, making every detail vivid and striking.
Vitality: though static, each profile conveys motion, volume, and life.
Emotional connection: the drawings inspire fascination and admiration, not just technical study.
Distinctive style: Sauro’s signature touch makes each illustration instantly recognizable.
Symbolic celebration: his drawings honor Formula 1 cars as icons of speed, design, and innovation.
Appreciation for detail: his work teaches viewers to notice and admire the beauty of complexity.
Historical contribution: through his drawings, Torreggiani preserves and celebrates automotive history for future generations.
For anyone who loves Formula 1, the Torreggiani Collection is a must-discover project, born of passion, shaped by dedication, and a lasting tribute to the art, history, and spirit of the sport.
Sauro Torreggiani’s volumes are available here: Sauro Torreggiani’s Amazon Store
In a world where Formula 1 is often defined by speed and spectacle, few take the time to celebrate the quiet artistry that keeps its history alive. Italian illustrator Sauro Torreggiani has done just that, dedicating himself to an extraordinary mission: to hand-draw every Formula 1 car ever built. His work is not just about design or nostalgia, but about preserving the full story of the sport, from its legendary champions to the forgotten machines that once roared across the world’s circuits.
As Sauro’s drawings remind us, Formula 1 is as much about artistry as it is about speed.
You can discover more of his work through his Amazon Store, where each volume celebrates the history and beauty of the sport.
And if you’d like to carry a piece of that same spirit with you, explore a selection of official F1 items below, each one a small tribute to the passion that defines Formula 1.
