Heritage
Our history in motorsport
ZF components and systems contribute to the success of Formula 1, at Le Mans and in the Paris-Dakar Rally, in Grand Prix cars and heavy-duty racing trucks, and in many more motorsports events.
ZF Race Engineering, its partners and team members have been on the podium for decades.
On the Podium for Decades
2023
- New partnership with Abt Motorsport in Formula E
- First pole position of Gen3 with Mahindra Racing in Formula E
- Dakar Rally winning team (truck category) with ZF technology
2022
- First victory for BMW Motorrad Motorsport in the FIM Endurance World Championship (FIM EWC) with ZF suspension
- The winner as well as 14 of the Top 20 cars at the 24-Hour Nürburgring are equipped with products from ZF Race Engineering
- Development of an all-new electric powertrain for the Gen 3 vehicles of ZF partner Mahindra Racing in Formula E for season 9
2021
- First Formula E victory for Mahindra Racing “powered by ZF” at the London ePrix with a ZF electric powertrain (e-motor, gearbox, inverter)
- The overall winner as well as seven cars from the Top 10 at the legendary 24-Hour race at the Nürburgring are equipped with products from ZF Race Engineering
2020
- ZF brand ambassador Christian Engelhart wins the driver´s championship title in ADAC GT Masters
2019
- ZF becomes new technology partner of Mahindra Racing in Formula E
- Christian Engelhart, who has been supported by ZF since 2015, wins the GTD class at the legendary Rolex24 of Daytona with his Lamborghini Huracán GT3
2018
- Dakar Hat Trick for Peugeot with shock absorbers and clutches from ZF.
- 20 year anniversary ZF Race Engineering.
2017
- Porsche wins the 24 Hours of Le Mans with a ZF clutch for the third consecutive time.
2016
- FIA Formula E is the first fully electric race series worldwide.
- ZF has signed a contract as official technology partner of the Venturi Formula E Team.
2015
- ZF celebrates the 100 year anniversary after founding the company in the year 1915.
- Merger and integration of the company TRW into the ZF group.
2014
- The FIA World Championships in WEC & WRC are won by ZF equipped vehicles once again.
2013
- All FIA World Championships (WEC, WTCC, F1, WRC) are obtained with products from ZF.
2012
- ZF provides the Audi R18 at the 24h race of Le Mans with clutch and a special steering system.
- All three DTM teams are equipped with ZF clutches.
- ZF partner BMW wins the manufacturer ranking of the DTM.
2011
- Volkswagen wins the Rally Dakar for the third time in a row with shock absorbers and clutches from ZF.
2009
- The newly founded Team Brawn GP is equipped with rotational dampers from ZF;
Brawn wins the world championship.
2007
- „Official Supplier“ relationship with the BMW Sauber F1 Team (rotational dampers).
1999
- Ferrari and Michael Schumacher win a total of six constructors‘ championships with ZF shock absorbers.
1998
- Foundation of Sachs Race Engineering GmbH.
1993
- Debut of Sachs in the Formula 1 with Mercedes and Sauber.
1985
- The Porsche-Team of Joest Racing wins the 24h race of Le Mans with Sachs products, and defends the title in the following year.
1966
- Opening of the Motodrome and the new Sachs curve at the Hockenheimring.
1964
- Jim Clark wins the Grand Prix in the Formula 1 with the Lotus 33 R9, provided with ZF transmissions.
1937
- The first Mercedes „Silver Arrows“ are equipped with Sachs shock absorbers and clutches.
1915
- Foundation of ZF Friedrichshafen AG.
1895
- Foundation of „Schweinfurter Präzisions-Kugellagerwerke Fichtel & Sachs“ by Ernst Sachs and Karl Fichtel.