Matra MS10
| Industry | Motorsport / Formula One racing team |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1968 |
| Founder | Ken Tyrrell |
Area served | Formula One World Championship |
Key people | Ken Tyrrell (team principal), Jackie Stewart (driver), Jean-Pierre Beltoise (driver), Johnny Servoz-Gavin (driver) |
| Products | Formula One cars (Matra MS10, Matra MS11) |
The Matra MS10 was a Formula One vehicle fielded by the Matra International squad during the 1968 Formula One season. Alongside its counterpart, the V12-powered Matra MS11, it represented Matra's inaugural F1 car explicitly engineered for the category, achieving three victories in 1968. These accomplishments elevated Jackie Stewart to second place in the Drivers' Championship and earned Matra International third position in the Constructors' Championship.
Concept
Following their achievements in Formula 2, Matra designed an F1 car originally intended to utilize their proprietary V12 engine. Nevertheless, team principal Ken Tyrrell preferred the proven competitiveness of the Ford Cosworth DFV V8 engine from 1967 and persuaded Matra to develop a chassis around this power unit. As a result, Matra Sports entered the V12-powered MS11 under factory colors, while Tyrrell campaigned the DFV-equipped MS10 under the Matra International banner.
A notable advancement was the incorporation of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks, which decreased chassis weight by approximately 15 kg and simultaneously increased rigidity. Due to safety concerns, the FIA prohibited this technology starting in 1970, mandating the use of rubber bag tanks instead.
Racing history
Jackie Stewart, who had competed with Tyrrell's Formula 2 Matra team, joined their Formula One program in 1968 after two challenging seasons with BRM. At the season opener, the 1968 South African Grand Prix, he piloted the interim MS9, qualifying third but retiring due to engine failure. Following an injury sustained at Jarama in Formula 2, Stewart missed the MS10's debut at the Spanish Grand Prix, where Jean-Pierre Beltoise drove it to fifth place and set the fastest lap. Subsequently, Beltoise transitioned to the factory MS11, with Johnny Servoz-Gavin taking over driving duties for the MS10 at Monaco before Stewart returned for the remainder of the campaign.
Throughout the season, the team experimented with aerodynamic wings. Stewart competed with high suspension-mounted wings at both the Italian and United States Grands Prix—designs that were later banned after safety issues arose from serious crashes at the 1969 Spanish Grand Prix. At that event's South African Grand Prix in 1969, the MS10 featured dual high wings positioned over both front and rear suspensions. Other races saw lower wing configurations, such as Stewart’s commanding win at the German Grand Prix.
Later in the season, a second MS10 was introduced for Servoz-Gavin. By season's end, Stewart had secured three World Championship race wins plus victory at the non-championship International Gold Cup, finishing second overall in the drivers' standings. Matra International concluded third in the Constructors' Championship.
The MS10 continued its success by winning the opening race of 1969 in South Africa and achieving third place at the BRDC International Trophy before being succeeded by the championship-winning Matra MS80.
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key) (bold denotes pole position; italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:F1 | Matra International | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 |
Template:Dunlop | 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 |
1 In the 1968 Constructors' Championship, Matra-Ford secured third place with 45 points; Matra (-Matra) finished ninth with eight points.
Non-Championship outcomes
(key) (bold results denote pole position; italicized results signify fastest lap)
Notes
– The MS10 participated in a single event throughout the 1969 season prior to its succession by the MS80.