Matra-Ford

Interesting facts

The 'Matra-Ford' designation refers to the Matra-built chassis powered by Ford-Cosworth V8 engines that Ken Tyrrell's squad (Matra International) ran, alongside the works Matra team's own V12-engined cars. The 1968 MS10 chassis reflected Matra's aerospace roots (the company's name derives from Mécanique Aviation Traction): it used an aviation-inspired, load-bearing fuel tank structure that cut roughly 15 kg of weight while stiffening the chassis. Jackie Stewart won three Grands Prix in 1968 driving the Tyrrell-run Matra MS10. The MS80, which corrected the MS10's weaknesses, carried Stewart to the World Championship in 1969 - the first, and to date only, world title won by a French-built car. The Matra-Ford combination clinched that title in only its second season of Formula 1 competition, a remarkable achievement for what was formally a privateer entry. Matra-Ford's Formula 1 history ran from 1968 to 1969, 2 seasons in total as a French team. Matra-Ford won the Constructors' Championship once, in 1969. The team scored a total of 111 constructors' championship points.