Formula 5000 (or F5000) was an auto-racing series that ran in the United Kingdom from 1968 to 1976. It was originally intended as a low-cost series aimed at open-wheel racing cars that no longer fitted any particular formula. The '5000' nomination comes from the maximum five litre engine capacity allowed in the cars, although many cars ran with 3.5, 4.5 and 4.7 litre engines.

F5000 series also ran simultaneously in the USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In the United States, the concept was inspired by the success of the Can-Am Series, which featured European sports racing cars fitted with very powerful engines derived from American V8s; the idea was to replicate the concept using European open wheel racing cars fitted with similar engines, but never achieved similar success. Cover of Car and Driver magazine, showing transparent diagram of CanAm racer The Canadian-American Challenge Cup or Can Am, was an SCCA/CASC sports car racing series from 1966 to 1974. ... The Liberty V8 aircraft engine clearly shows the configuration :See also V8 (beverage) A V8 engine is a V engine with eight cylinders. ... Open-wheel racing refers to a type of motor racing in which the wheels of the cars are not housed inside fenders, as in stock car or touring car racing, but rather out in the open at the end of readily-visible axles and suspension systems. ...