The BRM P139 was a

Formula One Formula One (also known as Formula 1 or F1) is the highest class of international racing for open-wheel single-seater formula racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The World Drivers' Championship, ...

racing car designed by Alec Osborn, based on the original P126/133/138 design by

Len Terry Leonard E. Terry (11 February 1924 – 25 August 2014) was an English racing car designer and engineer, known for his work with Lotus, BRM and Eagle. He also designed chassis for many other teams, including ERA and Aston Martin and produced ...

, which raced during the and seasons. It was powered by a 3.0-litre

V12 engine A V12 engine is a twelve-cylinder piston engine where two banks of six cylinders are arranged in a V configuration around a common crankshaft. V12 engines are more common than V10 engines. However, they are less common than V8 engines. The f ...

. The car was uncompetitive, which resulted in team boss

Tony Rudd Anthony Cyril Rudd (8 March 1923 – 22 August 2003) was a British engineer involved in aero engine design and motor racing, with particular associations with BRM and Lotus. Early life and war service Rudd became involved with motor racing ...

being asked to resign, with his position being taken over by

Tony Southgate Tony Southgate (born 25 May 1940, Coventry, England) is a British engineer and former racing car designer. He designed many successful cars, including Jaguar's Le Mans-winning XJR-9, and cars for almost every type of circuit racing. He was res ...

Tim Parnell Reginald Harold Haslam "Tim" Parnell (25 June 1932 – 5 April 2017) was a British racing driver from England. He participated in four Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, debuting on 18 July 1959, and qualified for two of them. He scored ...

and Aubrey Woods. After the team did not attend the

French Grand Prix The French Grand Prix (french: Grand Prix de France), formerly known as the Grand Prix de l'ACF (Automobile Club de France), is an auto race held as part of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's annual Formula One World Championsh ...

, a redesigned P139 appeared at the

British Grand Prix The British Grand Prix is a Grand Prix motor race organised in the United Kingdom by the Royal Automobile Club. First held in 1926, the British Grand Prix has been held annually since 1948 and has been a round of the FIA Formula One World Ch ...

, with a roomier, more bulbous cockpit and additional strengthening, giving the P139 a cylindrical appearance. The revised car was barely an improvement on the original P139, and was replaced by the P153 for the 1970 season. The P139 made one final appearance, at the

1970 South African Grand Prix The 1970 South African Grand Prix, formally titled the Fourth AA Grand Prix of South Africa (Afrikaans: ''Vierde AA Suid-Afrikaanse Grand Prix''), was a Formula One motor race held at Kyalami Circuit on 7 March 1970. It was race 1 of 13 in both ...

, driven by George Eaton, who was effectively paying for his drive, and thus did not receive a 'works' P153.

Formula One World Championship results

( key) Two points scored by the

BRM P138 The BRM P138 was a Formula One racing car designed by Len Terry which raced in the and Formula One seasons. It was powered by a 3.0-litre V12 engine. Racing History 1968 The P138 raced twice in 1968 but retired from both races due to engine fa ...

.
All points scored by the BRM P153.

References

BRM Formula One cars 1969 Formula One season cars 1970 Formula One season cars {{F1-stub