Matra MS10

Matra MS10

Stewart's MS10 from the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix at Donington
Category Formula One
Constructor Matra
Designer(s) Gerard Ducarouge
Bernard Boyer
Predecessor MS9
Successor MS11 / MS 80
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis Aluminium monocoque
Engine Ford Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 NA mid-engined
Transmission Hewland DG300 5 speed
Weight 540 kg (1,190.5 lb)
Fuel Elf
Tyres Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants Matra International
Notable drivers United Kingdom Jackie Stewart
France Jean-Pierre Beltoise
France Johnny Servoz-Gavin
Debut 1968 Spanish Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
124604
Constructors' Championships 1 (1969)1
Drivers' Championships 1 (Jackie Stewart, 1969)1
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Matra MS10 is a Formula One car used by the Matra team during the 1968 Formula One season. Raced simultaneously with the Matra MS11, it was considerably more successful due to its Cosworth DFV engine and the fact that upcoming three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart was racing it primarily.

It was however not Stewart but Jean-Pierre Beltoise who debuted the car at the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix, setting the fastest lap, since the Scot was sidelined with a wrist injury he sustained during a Formula Two race at the same circuit.[2] The car was mounted with wings on several occasions. At the Italian Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix for example, Stewart raced the MS10 with a high suspension-mounted wing,[3] the same kind that was outlawed the following season after both Lotus drivers suffered near-fatal accidents at the Spanish Grand Prix.[4] At the 1969 South African Grand Prix the car was even raced with two high wings, one over the front and one over the rear suspension.[5] At other races the MS10 was raced with a lower wing, such as during Stewart's dominant win at the Nürburgring. Then again, at races such as the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix, Stewart raced without any wing.

The car's most innovative feature was the use of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks. These allowed the chassis to be around 15 kg lighter, while still being stronger than its competitors. The FIA considered the technology to be unsafe and decided to ban it for 1970, insisting on rubber bag-tanks.

After racing once more at the season opener to the 1969 season, the car was replaced by the championship-winning Matra MS80.

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 4 1 3 6 1 Ret 6 1 7
Jean-Pierre Beltoise 5
Johnny Servoz-Gavin Ret 2 Ret Ret
1969 Matra International Ford Cosworth DFV
3.0 V8
D RSA ESP MON NED FRA GBR GER ITA CAN USA MEX 662 1st
Jackie Stewart 1
Jean-Pierre Beltoise 6

1 In the 1968 Constructors' Championship, Matra-Ford finished 3rd (45 points), Matra(-Matra) finished 9th (8 points).
2 In 1969, 9 points were scored using the MS10, the remaining points were scored using the MS80.

Gallery
MS10 with high wing at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed 
Jackie Stewart at the 1968 German Grand Prix. Note the low wing. 
Jackie Stewart driving the MS10 at the 1969 South African Grand Prix with two wings (likely during qualifying) 

Notes

^1 – The MS10 was used in just one race of the 1969 season, before it was replaced by the MS80.

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Matra MS10.
  1. "Matra MS10". StatsF1.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  2. "GRAND PRIX RESULTS: SPANISH GP, 1968". Grandprix.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  3. "Matra MS 10 Grand Prix car". automobiliac.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  4. "GRAND PRIX RESULTS: SPANISH GP, 1969". Grandprix.com. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
  5. "1969 SA GP Stewart Matra MS10 two wings". motoprint.co.za. Retrieved 28 January 2015.
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