The Matra MS7 was a Formula Two racing car built by Matra which occasionally raced in Formula One as well between 1967 and 1969. Only modestly successful in Formula One, it dominated Formula Two from late 1967 through 1969.
Matra MS7 at a glance
| Type | Formula Two car, occasional Formula One entries |
|---|---|
| Raced | 1967–1969 |
| Success | dominated Formula Two from late 1967 |
| Titles | European Formula Two Championship 1967, 1968, 1969 |
| Drivers | Jacky Ickx, Jean-Pierre Beltoise, Johnny Servoz-Gavin |
| Predecessor | Matra MS5 |
| Formula One points | one, scored in its only points-scoring Grand Prix |
Based on the English Wikipedia article on the Matra MS7, which is short; the article covers the car’s Formula Two record and its occasional Formula One appearances.
History of the Matra MS7
Design and role
The MS7 followed the MS5 as Matra’s Formula Two weapon. It was designed so that the same basic car could be entered in Formula Two and, with a different engine, in Formula One; in 1967–1969 Formula Two cars could take part in World Championship Grands Prix alongside Formula One cars, and the MS7 did so occasionally.
Formula Two
While only modestly successful in Formula One, the car dominated Formula Two from late 1967 through 1969. Jacky Ickx, Jean-Pierre Beltoise and Johnny Servoz-Gavin won the European Championship in those years respectively, all driving the MS7 at least at some races.
In Formula One
The MS7 scored one World Championship point in a Grand Prix, the only one in which it finished in the points; at other races it was entered in the Formula Two class and could not score championship points. The car was part of the line that led from Matra’s early single-seaters to the MS10 and MS80 Formula One cars.
Design and features
- Three European titles: 1967, 1968 and 1969 in Formula Two.
- Dual purpose: entered in Formula Two and occasionally Formula One.
- Driver school: Ickx, Beltoise and Servoz-Gavin all won titles in it.
Matra MS7 versions
- MS7 (1967–1969): the Formula Two car, also raced in Formula One.
The MS7 followed the Matra MS5; Matra’s next single-seaters were the Matra MS10 and Matra MS80. More racing cars are in the Matra collection.
Sources
- Matra MS7, English Wikipedia: Formula Two record, titles, Formula One entries
