Matra MS9

The Matra MS9 was a Formula One car used by the Matra International team during the 1968 Formula One season. It only raced once in a world championship race, driven by Jackie Stewart at the 1968 South African Grand Prix,[2] before being replaced by the Matra MS10. At its only outing, it qualified third, but Stewart had to retire due to a connecting rod failure.[1]

Matra MS9

Stewart's MS9 at Donington
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMatra
Designer(s)Gerard Ducarouge
Bernard Boyer
PredecessorMS7
SuccessorMS10
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisAluminium monocoque
EngineFord Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 NA mid-engined
TransmissionHewland 5 speed
Weight540 kg (1,190.5 lb)
FuelElf
TyresDunlop
Competition history
Notable entrantsMatra International
Notable drivers Jackie Stewart
Debut1968 South African Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
10000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

Concept

After success with their Formula 2 programme, Matra had plans to compete in Formula 1 with a car powered by their own Matra Sports V12 engine. However, Ken Tyrrell, who had run Matras in his own Formula 2 team, persuaded Matra to construct a car powered by the Cosworth DFV engine. To develop the concept, a Matra MS7 F2 car was modified to take a DFV, with suspension components taken from the Matra Group 6 sports car.[3]

Racing history

Despite its role as a development car, the MS9 was entered into the 1968 South African Grand Prix, as the MS10 was deemed to be not ready. Still in its pale green primer coat,[4] Jackie Stewart was immediately comfortable with the car and eventually qualified third on the grid behind the Lotus 49s of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. The intense heat at Kyalami led to cooling problems, and the nose-cone off the car was widened to improve airflow. An additional radiator was also fitted at the rear of the car. In the race itself, Stewart beat the Lotuses at the start but was soon overtaken by Clark and then some time later by Hill. Just after half-distance a broken connecting-rod punched through the side of the engine and the new car's race, and its racing career, was over.[5]

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(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 12 Points WCC
1968 Matra International Ford Cosworth DFV
3.0 V8		 D RSA ESP MON BEL NED FRA GBR GER ITA CAN USA MEX 451 3rd
Jackie Stewart Ret

1 All points scored using the MS7 and MS10 models.

References
  1. "Matra MS9". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. "Grand Prix results, South African GP 1968". grandprix.com. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
  3. Nye, Doug (1986). History of the Grand Prix Car 1966-1985. United Kingdom: Hazleton Publishing.
  4. Brown, Allen. "Matra MS9 history". oldracingcars.com. Retrieved 24 September 2017.
  5. "Grand Prix of South Africa". motorsportmagazine.com. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
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