F1's Biggest Spender - McLaren

TEAMCAR - 'Business F1' magazine contends that the Woking-based outfit, spending a reputed $400 million (US) a year, pips the Japanese carmaker - at $393 million - to the dubious post.

Third and fourth are Honda ($382m) and BMW Sauber ($378m), leaving Ferrari just fifth in the ranking with an estimated annual spend of $329m.

Reigning drivers' and constructors champion (and 2006 title leader) Renault ranked a distant sixth by spending around $300m, followed perhaps surprisingly by Red Bull ($201m).

Williams ($134m) leads the remaining privateers, but Super Aguri ($95m) outpace both MF1 ($76m) and - bringing up the rear - Red Bull's junior team Scuderia Toro Rosso, at $66m. Interestingly, though, Phillip Morris' sponsorship of Ferrari - at $97m a year - amounts to more than the annual budget of any of the final three teams.

Altogether, it's a mind-boggling collective spend of more than 2.5 billion dollars.