Equipe Matra
 Based in: VelizyFounded: 1942 (active 1966-1972) Principal: Jean-Luc Lagardere |
Mecanique Aviation Traction were originally a military hardware company which acquired the Rene Bonnet car company in 1964. Under the Matra Sports subsidiary, they contested Formula 3 in 1965, Formula 2 in 1966, before entering Grand Prix racing via the back door of the F2 class.
A two pronged attack on the championship was established with Ken Tyrrell's team, using a chassis mated to the Ford Cosworth DFV and the factory producing a variation to take its own V12 engine. Victory eluded the factory operation but the howling V12 engine continued for some time with Shadow and Ligier.
Matra withdrew from F1 to continue with its sports car successes.
Cars
| Car designation | Race years |
|---|---|
| Matra MS5 | 1966 - 1967 |
| Matra MS7 | 1967 - 1968 |
| Matra MS9 | 1968 |
| Matra MS11 | 1968 |
| Matra MS10 | 1968 - 1969 |
| Matra MS80 | 1969 |
| Matra MS84 | 1969 |
| Matra-Simca MS120 | 1970 - 1971 |
| Matra-Simca MS120B | 1971 |
| Matra-Simca MS120C | 1972 |
| Matra-Simca MS120D | 1972 |