Matra MS10

Matra MS10

260px Stewart's MS10 from the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix at Donington
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Matra
Designer(s)	Gerard Ducarouge Bernard Boyer
Predecessor	MS9
Successor	MS11 / MS 80
Technical specifications
Chassis	Aluminium monocoque
Engine	Ford Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8 NA mid-engined
Transmission	Hewland DG300 5 speed
Weight	540 kg (1,190.5 lb)
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Dunlop
Competition history
Notable entrants	Matra International
Notable drivers	Jackie Stewart Jean-Pierre Beltoise Johnny Servoz-Gavin
Debut	1968 Spanish Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F.Laps 12 4 6 0 4
Constructors' Championships	1 (1969)
Drivers' Championships	1 (Jackie Stewart, 1969)
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Matra MS10 is a Formula One car used by the Matra team during the 1968 Formula One season. Raced simultaneously with the Matra MS11, it was considerably more successful due to its Cosworth DFV engine and the fact that upcoming three-time World Champion Jackie Stewart was racing it primarily.

It was however not Stewart but Jean-Pierre Beltoise who debuted the car at the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix, setting the fastest lap, since the Scot was sidelined with a wrist injury he sustained during a Formula Two race at the same circuit. The car was mounted with wings on several occasions. At the Italian Grand Prix and the United States Grand Prix for example, Stewart raced the MS10 with a high suspension-mounted wing, the same kind that was outlawed the following season after both Lotus drivers suffered near-fatal accidents at the Spanish Grand Prix. At the 1969 South African Grand Prix the car was even raced with two high wings, one over the front and one over the rear suspension. At other races the MS10 was raced with a lower wing, such as during Stewart's dominant win at the Nürburgring. Then again, at races such as the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix, Stewart raced without any wing.

The car's most innovative feature was the use of aviation-inspired structural fuel tanks. These allowed the chassis to be around 15 kg lighter, while still being stronger than its competitors. The FIA considered the technology to be unsafe and decided to ban it for 1970, insisting on rubber bag-tanks.

After racing once more at the season opener to the 1969 season, the car was replaced by the championship-winning Matra MS80.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

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

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	Points	WCC
1968	Matra International	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D		RSA	ESP	MON	BEL	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX	451	3rd
				Jackie Stewart				4	1	3	6	1	Ret	6	1	7
				Jean-Pierre Beltoise		5
				Johnny Servoz-Gavin			Ret						2	Ret		Ret
1969	Matra International	Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8	D		RSA	ESP	MON	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	ITA	CAN	USA	MEX		662	1st
				Jackie Stewart	1
				Jean-Pierre Beltoise	6

¹ In the 1968 Constructors' Championship, Matra-Ford finished 3rd (45 points), Matra(-Matra) finished 9th (8 points).
² In 1969, 9 points were scored using the MS10, the remaining points were scored using the MS80.

Gallery

MS10 with high wing at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed MS10 with high wing at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed  Jackie Stewart being chased by Jochen Rindt at the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix. Jackie Stewart being chased by Jochen Rindt at the 1968 Dutch Grand Prix.  Jackie Stewart at the 1968 German Grand Prix. Note the low wing.  Jackie Stewart driving the MS10 at the 1969 South African Grand Prix with two wings (likely during qualifying) Jackie Stewart driving the MS10 at the 1969 South African Grand Prix with two wings (likely during qualifying)

Notes

^1 – The MS10 was used in just one race of the 1969 season, before it was replaced by the MS80.