Matra MS5

Summary

The Matra MS5 is a Formula Two and Formula Three racing car, designed, developed, and made by Matra, which was used in the Formula Two class of two World Championship Grands Prix in 1966 and 1967. It was actively used in motor racing competitions between 1965 and 1969.

Matra MS5
A MS5 on display in 2008
CategoryFormula One
Formula Two
Formula Three
ConstructorMatra Sports
SuccessorMatra MS7
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminium monocoque, with engine as a fully stressed member.
EngineFord Cosworth FVA, Ford Cosworth SCA, or BRM P80 1,000 cc (61 cu in) L4, naturally aspirated, mid-mounted.
TransmissionHewland TL 200 5-speed
TyresDunlop
Competition history
Notable entrantsMatra Sports
Notable driversFrance Jean-Pierre Beltoise
France Johnny Servoz-Gavin
France Jo Schlesser
Belgium Jacky Ickx
Germany Hubert Hahne
Debut1966 German Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
3000
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The MS5 was Matra's final Formula 3 car, based on the MS1 test car. The first two cars were ready just before the Formula 3 race in Monaco. A total of five MS5s were built in 1965, more followed and some remained in racing use until 1969.

The national races in France had absolute priority for Matra. In 1965 Jean-Pierre Beltoise won the French Formula 3 Championship ahead of his teammate Jean-Pierre Jaussaud. In 1966 Beltoise won the important Formula 3 race in Monaco with the MS5. In 1967 the works team dominated the Argentine championship and the two new works drivers Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Jabouille won the races in Monaco and Rouen. However, at the end of the season, the factory team was disbanded; French private teams bought the factory cars.

Matra managing director Jean-Luc Lagardère had already concluded an agreement with Ken Tyrrell in 1965 in order to enter Formula 2 with the British racing team owner. Tyrrell was given an MS5 with a BRM Formula 2 engine for trial purposes and from 1966 the team entered Formula 2 under the team name Matra International. The MS5 adapted to the regulations ran there under the type designation MS6.

The car made its World Championship Grand Prix debut at the 1966 German Grand Prix, being driven by Belgian Jacky Ickx, and was involved in an accident with John Taylor's Brabham BT11 during the race.[1]

Matra MS5

Formula One World Championship results edit

(key)(results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Points WCC
1966 Matra Sports Ford Cosworth SCA 1.0 L4 D MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX - -
Jean-Pierre Beltoise 8
Jo Schlesser 10
Tyrrell Racing Organisation Jacky Ickx Ret
BRM P80 1.0 L4 Hubert Hahne 9
1967 Matra Sports Ford Cosworth FVA 1.6 L4 D RSA MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER CAN ITA USA MEX - -
Jean-Pierre Beltoise DNQ
Johnny Servoz-Gavin Ret
Tyrrell Racing Organisation Jacky Ickx Ret
Ecurie Ford-France Jo Schlesser Ret
Source:[2][3]

Non-Championship Formula One results edit

(key)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6
1967 Matra Sports Ford Cosworth FVA 1.6 L4 D ROC SPC INT SYR OUL ESP
Jean-Pierre Beltoise Ret 5
Jacky Ickx Ret
Henri Pescarolo 8
Johnny Servoz-Gavin 4
Ecurie Ford-France Jo Schlesser DNS 4 5
Tyrrell Racing Organisation Jacky Ickx Ret 6

References edit

  1. ^ Buckland, Damien (4 February 2015). Collection Editions: Ferrari In Formula One. ISBN 9781326174880. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
  2. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 55, 173, 196, and 340. ISBN 0851127029.
  3. ^ Jenkinson, Denis (September 1966). "The German Grand Prix: Brabham works hard". Motor Sport magazine archive. p. 15. Retrieved 4 December 2015.