Matra Ford Formula 1

Matra Ford

Ken Tyrrell had accumulated valuable experience converted into victories (with Matra cars) in Formula 2, where he had Jackie Stewart and Jackie Ickx as drivers. In 1968 Tyrrell began its operation in Formula 1, using Matra chassis but rejecting the V12 engines that Matra manufactured in agreement with the French government, which wished to have a fully French team.

The existing exclusivity contract between Ford and Lotus ended in 1968, leaving Ford free to supply any equipment with its Cosworth engines. Tyrrell took advantage of this situation and equipped his Matra with V8 Cosworth DFV engines.

In 1968 Stewart had a good season aboard the Matra MS10, with which he won the Netherlands Grand Prix and later, in a torrential rain, a heroic German Grand Prix. At the end of the season Stewart again led Al Matra to victory at the US Grand Prix.

For the 1969 season designer Bernard Boyer made a lot of modifications to the chassis, now called Matra MS80, with which they would win their first Constructors Cup. Thanks to an excellent car plus the growing talent of the Stewart driver, the 1969 season was very successful for the team.

Jackie Stewart was Pilot Champion winning a total of 5 Grand Prix, more precisely in Spain, Holland, France, England and Italy. This was the beginning of his brilliant F1 record.

For next season, changes to the regulation left aside Matra MS80, which should be completely rebuilt. While Matra carried out his plan to have a completely successful racing car, it was not in Formula 1, that virtually all of his success ended with the victory of 1969.

The last Matra brought to the F1 were three victories of his engines equipping the chassis of the French team Ligier.

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