Brabham BT7

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Brabham BT7
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorMotor Racing Developments
Designer(s)Ron Tauranac
PredecessorBrabham BT3
SuccessorBrabham BT11
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisSteel spaceframe
EngineCoventry Climax V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionHewland, 5 speed manual
Weight475 kg (1,047.2 lb)
TyresDunlop, Goodyear, Firestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsBrabham Racing Organisation
Rob Walker Racing Team
Notable driversAustralia Jack Brabham
United States Dan Gurney
New Zealand Denny Hulme
Sweden Jo Bonnier
Debut1963 Monaco Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
312824
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to
Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Brabham BT7 (also known as Repco Brabham BT7) is a Formula One racing car. It was raced by the Brabham Racing Organisation and several privateers from 1963 to 1966. A development of its predecessor, the Brabham BT3, the car proved to be competitive during 1963 and 1964, taking Dan Gurney to two victories. Technical issues prevented the BT7 from scoring better results. The car was equipped with a more reliable Hewland gearbox compared to the Colotti-Francis in the BT3. Malcolm Sayer from Jaguar Cars was consulted to give input for the revised chassis. The slick aerodynamics proved particularly strong at high speed circuits such as Monza or Spa. Its successor, the BT11, was a slightly altered BT7 aimed for customers such as Rob Walker or Jo Siffert.[2]

It was in this car that Denny Hulme debuted in Grand Prix racing. He would later win the 1967 World Driver's Championship.

The BT7 was also raced in Formula 2 by Hubert Hahne among others using a 2-litre BMW Neue Klasse engine (pictured).

Complete Formula One World Championship results[edit]

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

Year Team Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Points1 WCC
1963 Brabham Racing Organisation D MON BEL NED FRA GBR GER ITA USA MEX RSA 28 (30)2 3rd
Jack Brabham Ret 4 Ret 7 4 2 13
Dan Gurney Ret 3 2 5 Ret Ret 14 Ret 6 2
1964 Brabham Racing Organisation D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER AUT ITA USA MEX 303 4th
Jack Brabham Ret Ret 3 3 4 12
Dan Gurney Ret Ret 6 1 13 10 Ret 10 Ret 1
RRC Walker Racing Team D Jo Bonnier 12 Ret Ret
1965 Brabham Racing Organisation G RSA MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 274 3rd
Denny Hulme 8 Ret Ret
Giancarlo Baghetti Ret
RRC Walker Racing Team D Jo Bonnier Ret 7 Ret Ret 7 Ret 7 7 8 Ret
1966 Joakim Bonnier Racing Team F MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 0 NC
Jo Bonnier Ret

1 Points were awarded on a 9–6–4–3–2–1 basis for the first six positions at each round with only the best six (1963-1965) or five (1966) round results retained. Only the best placed car from each manufacturer at each round was eligible to score points. Numbers in parentheses are total points scored; numbers not in parentheses are points counted towards the championship
2 In 1963, the 28 points counting towards the championship were scored using the BT7; the two dropped points were scored using a BT3
3 In 1964, 25 points were scored using the BT7; the remaining 5 points were scored using a BT11
4 In 1965, all points were scored using a BT11

References[edit]

  1. ^ "F1 Stats - Brabham BT7". f1stats.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  2. ^ "Brabham BT7 Climax". ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 27 January 2015.