 Stewart's MS9 atDonington | |||||||||||
| Category | Formula One | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Matra | ||||||||||
| Designers | Gerard Ducarouge Bernard Boyer | ||||||||||
| Predecessor | MS7 | ||||||||||
| Successor | MS10 | ||||||||||
| Technical specifications[1] | |||||||||||
| Chassis | Aluminiummonocoque | ||||||||||
| Engine | FordCosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 NA mid-engined | ||||||||||
| Transmission | Hewland 5 speed | ||||||||||
| Weight | 540 kg (1,190.5 lb) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | Elf | ||||||||||
| Tyres | Dunlop | ||||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||||
| Notable entrants | Matra International | ||||||||||
| Notable drivers |  Jackie Stewart | ||||||||||
| Debut | 1968 South African Grand Prix | ||||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||||
Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only. | |||||||||||
TheMatra MS9 was a Formula One car used by theMatra International team during the1968 Formula One season. It only raced once in a world championship race, driven byJackie Stewart at the1968 South African Grand Prix,[2] before being replaced by theMatra MS10. At its only outing, it qualified third, but Stewart had to retire due to a connecting rod failure.[1]
After success with theirFormula 2 programme, Matra had plans to compete inFormula 1 with a car powered by their ownMatra Sports V12 engine. However,Ken Tyrrell, who had run Matras in his own Formula 2 team, persuaded Matra to construct a car powered by theCosworth DFV engine. To develop the concept, aMatra MS7 F2 car was modified to take a DFV, with suspension components taken from the MatraGroup 6 sports car.[3]
Despite its role as a development car, the MS9 was entered into the1968 South African Grand Prix, as theMS10 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 theLotus 49s ofJim Clark andGraham Hill. The intense heat atKyalami 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]
(key) (results inbold indicate pole position; results initalics 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 | FordCosworth DFV 3.0V8 | D | RSA | ESP | MON | BEL | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | ITA | CAN | USA | MEX | 451 | 3rd | |
| Jackie Stewart | Ret |
1 All points scored using theMS7 andMS10 models.
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