The Matra MS5 is a
Formula Two
Formula Two (F2 or Formula 2) is a type of open-wheel formula racing category first codified in 1948. It was replaced in 1985 by Formula 3000, but revived by the FIA from 2009–2012 in the form of the FIA Formula Two Championship. The name retur ...
and
Formula Three
Formula Three, also called Formula 3, abbreviated as F3, is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One driv ...
racing car
Auto racing (also known as car racing, motor racing, or automobile racing) is a motorsport involving the racing of automobiles for competition.
Auto racing has existed since the invention of the automobile. Races of various sorts were organise ...
, designed, developed, and made by
Matra
Matra (an acronym for Mécanique Aviation Traction) was a French industrial conglomerate. During its years of operation, it was engaged in a wide range of business activities, primarily focused around automobiles, bicycles, aeronautics and w ...
, which was used in the Formula Two class of two World Championship Grands Prix in 1966 and 1967. It was actively used in motor racing competitions between 1965 and 1969.
The MS5 was Matra's final Formula 3 car, based on the
MS1 test car. The first two cars were ready just before the Formula 3 race in Monaco. A total of five MS5s were built in 1965, more followed and some remained in racing use until 1969.
The national races in France had absolute priority for Matra. In 1965 Jean-Pierre Beltoise won the French Formula 3 Championship ahead of his teammate Jean-Pierre Jaussaud. In 1966 Beltoise won the important Formula 3 race in Monaco with the MS5. In 1967 the works team dominated the Argentine championship and the two new works drivers Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Jabouille won the races in Monaco and Rouen. However, at the end of the season, the factory team was disbanded; French private teams bought the factory cars.
Matra managing director Jean-Luc Lagardère had already concluded an agreement with Ken Tyrrell in 1965 in order to enter Formula 2 with the British racing team owner. Tyrrell was given an MS5 with a BRM Formula 2 engine for trial purposes and from 1966 the team entered Formula 2 under the team name Matra International. The MS5 adapted to the regulations ran there under the type designation MS6.
The car made its World Championship Grand Prix debut at the
1966 German Grand Prix, being driven by Belgian
Jacky Ickx
Jacques Bernard "Jacky" Ickx (; born 1 January 1945) is a Belgian former racing driver who won the 24 Hours of Le Mans six times (second-highest of all time) and achieved eight wins and 25 podium finishes in Formula One. He greatly contributed ...
, and was involved in an accident with
John Taylor's
Brabham BT11 during the race.
Formula One World Championship results
(
key
Key or The Key may refer to:
Common meanings
* Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm
* Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock
* Key (map ...
)(results in bold indicate pole position, results in ''italics'' indicate fastest lap)
Non-Championship Formula One results
(
key
Key or The Key may refer to:
Common meanings
* Key (cryptography), a piece of information that controls the operation of a cryptography algorithm
* Key (lock), device used to control access to places or facilities restricted by a lock
* Key (map ...
)
References
Formula Two cars
Formula Three cars
Matra MS005
{{F1-stub