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Brabham BT44
Brabham BT44B
Brabham BT44 (1974)
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBrabham
Designer(s)Gordon Murray
PredecessorBT42
SuccessorBT45
Technical specifications
ChassisAluminum monocoque
Suspension (front)Rising rate pullrod actuated
Suspension (rear)Multi-link
EngineCosworth DFV 2993 cc 90 Degree V-8 Naturally aspirated Mid-engined
TransmissionHewland FG400 5 forward, 1 reverse
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsMotor Racing Developments
Notable drivers
Debut1974 Argentine Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
36524
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Brabham BT44 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Murray, Brabham's chief designer.[1]

Design

An update of the partially successful BT42 of 1973, the BT44 was a simple design with a standard Ford DFV/Hewland gearbox combination, but was very clean aerodynamically. Murray had an eye for clean lines, and the BT44 was particularly graceful. He was also a forward thinker, and tinkered with side skirts and airdams on the car, a precursor to ground effects aerodynamics.

Sponsorship came from Martini.[2]

Racing history

1974

Carlos Reutemann in the all-white Brabham BT44 at the 1974 Race of Champions.

The 1974 season was successful for Brabham. Carlos Reutemann took three wins with the car, partnered by Carlos Pace who was able to string a series of promising results together. Brabham finished at a fighting fifth place in the Constructor's Championship after a closely fought season.

1975

The BT44 was modified for 1975, and Pace won his first and only Grand Prix at his home event in Brazil, while Reutemann won at the Nürburgring. A series of other strong finishes helped Reutemann to finish third in the drivers' championship in 1975, whilst Brabham equalled his feat in the constructors' championship by finishing second. Whilst the BT44 was a good car, it couldn't match the McLaren M23 or the Ferrari 312T.[3]

1976

1975 Brabham BT44B

The BT44 was replaced by the Alfa Romeo powered BT45 for 1976 which proved to be a serious step back for the team. The BT44Bs were sold to RAM Racing, who ran them for a variety of drivers in the 1976 World Championship, including Loris Kessel, Emilio de Villota, Patrick Nève, Jac Nellemann, Damien Magee, Lella Lombardi and Bob Evans, none of whom had much success.[4]

Formula One World Championship results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts WCC
1974 Motor Racing Developments BT44 Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA ESP BEL MON SWE NED FRA GBR GER AUT ITA CAN USA 351 5th
Carlos Reutemann 7 7 1 Ret Ret Ret Ret 12 Ret 6 3 1 Ret 9 1
Richard Robarts Ret 15 17
Rikky von Opel Ret Ret DNQ 9 9 DNQ
Carlos Pace 9 12 Ret 5 8 2
Goldie Hexagon Racing F John Watson Ret 4 7 Ret 5
1975 Martini Racing BT44B Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G ARG BRA RSA ESP MON BEL SWE NED FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA 54 2nd
Carlos Reutemann 3 8 2 3 9 3 2 4 14 Ret 1 14 4 Ret
Carlos Pace Ret 1 4 Ret 3 8 Ret 5 Ret 2 Ret Ret Ret Ret
1976 RAM Racing BT44B Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 G BRA RSA USW ESP BEL MON SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN USA JPN 0 -
Loris Kessel DNQ 12 Ret DNQ NC
Emilio de Villota DNQ
Patrick Nève Ret
Jac Nellemann DNQ
Damien Magee DNQ
Bob Evans Ret
Lella Lombardi DNQ DNQ 12
Rolf Stommelen DNS

^1 Includes 1 point scored using a Brabham BT42.

See also

References

  1. ^ "1974 Brabham BT44 Images, Information and History". Conceptcarz.com. Retrieved 5 July 2011.
  2. ^ Smith, Damien (14 October 2015). "Great racing cars: 1974 Brabham BT44". Motor Sport. Archived from the original on 12 December 2019.
  3. ^ Lamm, John (14 April 2016). "Driving Your Hero Is Anything But a Disappointment". Road & Track. No. June 2016. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016.
  4. ^ "1974 - 1975 Brabham BT44 - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimate Car Page. Archived from the original on 28 February 2018.
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