Team principal Christian Horner named Renault's partnership with Mario Illien and his company Ilmor as a reason for staying with the manufacturer. The team continued using Renault engines, but they were rebadged as TAG Heuer. The former formally ended their nine-year partnership with engine supplier Renault at the end of the 2015 season, with the team citing the lack of performance from the Renault Energy-F1 2015 engine as a leading factor in the change. īoth Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso underwent changes regarding their power unit supply. Lotus's participation in the 2016 season was in question pending the resolution of a High Court case brought against the team by HM Revenue and Customs over unpaid PAYE tax. Renault returned to Formula One as a full factory-supported team after they purchased Lotus from Genii Capital, the venture capital firm they had originally sold the same team to in 2010, and supplied engines to up until the end of 2014. Dallara had last participated in Formula One as the chassis manufacturer for HRT in 2010. The team used power units supplied by Ferrari and a chassis developed by Dallara. Haas F1 Team, a team formed by NASCAR Sprint Cup Series team owner Gene Haas, joined the Formula One grid, becoming the first American team to compete since the unrelated Haas Lola team competed in 1986. Several team changes took place before the season began. Lotus ( E23 Hybrid pictured top) were purchased by Renault ( R.S.16 pictured bottom). Teams competed with tyres supplied by Pirelli. The following teams and drivers took part in the 2016 Formula One World Championship.

5.4 World Constructors' Championship standings.

5.3 World Drivers' Championship standings.

Ferrari finished third overall, a further seventy points behind. In the World Constructors' Championship, Mercedes successfully defended their title for the second consecutive year, beating Red Bull Racing by 297 points.

Rosberg announced his retirement from the sport shortly after winning the title. In doing so, Rosberg followed the success of his father in 1982 and became the second son of a champion to become champion himself, a feat previously achieved by Damon Hill in 1996. With nine wins and seven other podiums, Rosberg beat teammate and defending World Champion Lewis Hamilton by five points. Nico Rosberg won his only World Drivers' Championship title in the final race of the season. The European Grand Prix was also revived, with the event visiting a new circuit in Azerbaijan's capital city, Baku.

The calendar similarly expanded, with the return of the German Grand Prix. Renault returned to the sport as a constructor after a four-year absence following their takeover of Lotus prior to the start of the season. The 2016 season saw the grid expand to twenty-two cars with the addition of the Haas F1 Team entry. Mercedes successfully defended their World Constructors' title.

2016 f1 season results