The Matra MS9 was a Formula One car used by the Matra International team during the 1968 season. It raced only once in a World Championship event, driven by Jackie Stewart at the 1968 South African Grand Prix, before being replaced by the Matra MS10. It qualified third but retired with a broken connecting rod.
Matra MS9 at a glance
| Type | Formula One development car |
|---|---|
| Season | 1968 |
| Team | Matra International |
| Based on | Matra MS7 Formula Two car |
| Engine | Cosworth DFV V8 |
| Suspension | components from the Matra Group 6 sports car |
| Only race | 1968 South African Grand Prix |
| Driver | Jackie Stewart |
| Grid position | 3rd |
| Result | retired, broken connecting rod |
Based on the English Wikipedia article on the Matra MS9, which covers a single race.
History of the Matra MS9
Concept
After success with its Formula Two programme, Matra planned to compete in Formula One with a car powered by its own Matra Sports V12. Ken Tyrrell, who had run Matras in his own Formula Two team, persuaded Matra to build a car powered by the Cosworth DFV instead. To develop the concept, a Matra MS7 Formula Two car was modified to take a DFV, with suspension components taken from the Matra Group 6 sports car.
South Africa 1968
Despite its role as a development car, the MS9 was entered in the 1968 South African Grand Prix because the MS10 was not ready. Still in its pale green primer coat, the car immediately suited Jackie Stewart, who qualified third behind the Lotus 49s of Jim Clark and Graham Hill. The intense heat at Kyalami caused cooling problems: the nose cone was widened to improve airflow and an additional radiator was fitted at the rear of the car.
Race and retirement
Stewart beat the Lotuses at the start but was soon passed by Clark and 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. The MS9 was replaced by the MS10, with which Stewart won three races that season.
Design and features
- Development mule: an MS7 chassis adapted to take the Cosworth DFV.
- Group 6 suspension: components borrowed from Matra’s sports car.
- Third on the grid: immediate pace at Kyalami despite the primer finish.
- Cooling fixes: widened nose and extra rear radiator for the South African heat.
Matra MS9 versions
- MS9 (1968): the single development car, raced once.
The MS9 was replaced by the Matra MS10, and its chassis was based on the Matra MS7. More racing cars are in the Matra collection.
Sources
- Matra MS9, English Wikipedia: concept, race history, result
