F1: Mercedes’ domination is not the first time one team has ruled the roost...

Winning the first five races of the season is no mean feat, but superior cars have dominated the season before 2014

Nico Rosberg attempts to hunt down his Mercedes team-mate in the battle for Spanish Grand Prix glory (Getty Images)

The massive emphasis on engineering frequently results in one team developing a dominant technical advantage until the next bright idea comes along. Here’s a brief recap of the past 30 years.

1984-85

McLaren-TAG Porsche

Excellent design packaging around a bespoke Porsche-built turbocharged engine gives McLaren the edge.

1986-1987

Williams-Honda

The best engine in the business – Honda’s turbo V6 – makes Williams almost insuperable.

1988-1990

McLaren-Honda

Honda switch from Williams to McLaren and their excellent V6, V10 and V12 engines in clever cars driven by Ayrton Senna, make the Woking team the one to beat.

1991-1993

Williams-Renault

Renault V10 power and an all-new car designed by Adrian Newey under the pragmatic supervision of co-founder and Engineering Director Patrick Head, enables Williams to engineer their way back to the top thanks to aerodynamic excellence, computerised suspension, traction control and power brakes.

1996-1997

Williams-Renault

Williams return to the top again with another Newey design featuring excellent aerodynamics.

1999-2004

Ferrari

The talents of designer Rory Byrne, technical director Ross Brawn, team boss Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher bring a five-year domination.

2009-2013

Red Bull

Aerodynamic excellence is the key to the Newey cars with which Sebastian Vettel dominates so strongly that in 2013 he wins the final nine races of the year, a new record.

2014

Mercedes

Wholesale regulation changes give Mercedes the opportunity to install the best new eco-hybrid V6 turbo engine into the best-integrated design.