BRM P201
{{Racing car
|Car_name = BRM P201
|Image = BRM P201 Mallory Park.JPG
|caption = BRM P201 being demonstrated at Mallory Park in 2009
|Category = Formula One
|WC_results_only = Y
|Constructor = British Racing Motors
|Designer = Mike Pilbeam
|Successor = P207
|Team = Stanley BRM / Team Motul BRM
|Drivers = {{flagicon|FRA}} Jean-Pierre Beltoise
{{flagicon|NZ}} Chris Amon
{{flagicon|FRA}} Henri Pescarolo
|Technical ref={{cite web|last=Stats F1|title=BRM P201|url=http://www.statsf1.com/en/brm-p201.aspx|accessdate=7 December 2015}}
|Chassis = Aluminium alloy monocoque
|Front suspension =
|Rear suspension =
|Wheelbase = {{convert|2591|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|Track = Front: {{convert|1540|mm|in||abbr=on}}
Rear {{convert|1560|mm|in||abbr=on}}
|Engine name = BRM
|Capacity = {{convert|2998|cc|cuin|1|abbr=on}}
|Configuration = V12
|Turbo/NA = naturally aspirated,
|Engine position = mid-mounted
|Gearbox name = BRM
|Gears = 5-speed
|Type = manual
|Differential =
|Weight = {{convert|586|kg|lb|1|abbr=on}}
|Fuel =
|Tyres = Firestone ({{f1|1974}})
Goodyear ({{f1|1975}}–{{f1|1977}})
|Debut = 1974 South African Grand Prix
|Races = 26
|Wins = 0
|Poles = 0
|Fastest_laps = 0
}}
The BRM P201 is a Formula One racing car built by British Racing Motors and designed by Mike Pilbeam, which raced in the {{f1|1974}} and {{f1|1975}} seasons and in P201B specification in {{f1|1976}} and {{f1|1977}}. The P201 featured a triangular monocoque, hip-level radiators, outboard front springs and inboard brakes.{{cite web|last1=Brown|first1=Allen|title=BRM P201 car-by-car histories|url=http://www.oldracingcars.com/brm/p201/|website=oldracingcars.com|accessdate=22 September 2017}} It used a 3.0-litre V12 engine and competed in 26 races, making 36 individual entries in total. Its best finish was second place for Jean-Pierre Beltoise at the 1974 South African Grand Prix, on the car's debut.
Race history
=1974=
The car made its debut in the 1974 South African Grand Prix, driven by Jean-Pierre Beltoise, who qualified in 11th position. However, Beltoise was able to use qualifying tyres in the race due to the P201's handling, and was able to drive through the field for a second-place finish.{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=8th South African Grand Prix: A popular win for Reutemann|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/may-1974/25/8th-south-african-grand-prix|date=May 1974|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|page=25|accessdate=2 January 2016}} At the Spanish Grand Prix, Beltoise again qualified 11th but retired after two laps, with an engine problem.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Spanish Grand Prix: Ferrari Dominates|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1974/34/spanish-grand-prix-ferrari-dominates|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=June 1974|page=34|accessdate=3 January 2016}} At Belgium, he qualified seventh and finished fifth.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Grand Prix in Belgium: A nice little race|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1974/29/grand-prix-belgium|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=June 1974|page=34|accessdate=3 January 2016}} At Monaco, Beltoise, who had qualified 11th and led the first practice times at one point, was in collision with Denny Hulme's McLaren on the first lap when the New Zealander got off-line and in attempting to rejoin, triggered a multiple accident.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The 32nd Monaco Grand Prix: Peterson keeps the faith for Lotus|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1974/45/32nd-monaco-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=July 1974|page=45|accessdate=3 January 2016}} For this race, a second P201 chassis had been produced with outboard front disc brakes rather than inboard but was not used.
At Sweden, Henri Pescarolo drove the second chassis, with the brakes moved inboard, and he and Beltoise qualified 19th and 13th respectively. However, both retired, Pescarolo on lap one through fire and his teammate on lap three with an engine problem.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Swedish Grand Prix: A Tyrrell Double|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1974/34/swedish-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=July 1974|page=45|accessdate=3 January 2016}} At the 1974 Dutch Grand Prix, Beltoise tried both P201 chassis and raced the newer one. Pescarolo drove the second car in one practice session only and eventually raced a P160. The earlier P201 chassis was raced by François Migault who retired on lap 60 with gear linkage problems having qualified 25th, and last, on the grid. Beltoise qualified 16th and retired on lap 19, also with a gearbox problem.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Dutch Grand Prix: Ferrari all the way|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1974/50/dutch-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=August 1974|page=50|accessdate=4 January 2016}}
At the French Grand Prix, the earlier chassis was adapted to suit Pescarolo and Beltoise drove the later car, which had modified cylinder heads. Beltoise qualified 17th and finished 10th. Pescarolo started 19th, 0.3secs behind his teammate, and retired after one lap due to clutch problems after a lengthy hold at the start.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The 7th Grand Prix of France: Minuscule|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1974/25/7th-grand-prix-france-minuscule|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=August 1974|page=25|accessdate=4 January 2016}} At the British Grand Prix, Beltoise qualified 23rd and Pescarolo 24th, after ignition, wheel and engine problems. Both were out-qualified by Migault in a P160, in 14th place. In the race, Beltoise finished 12th, three laps behind, and Pescarolo retired on lap 65 with an engine problem.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The British Grand Prix: Scheckter finishes first|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1974/47/british-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=September 1974|page=47|accessdate=6 January 2016}}
At the German Grand Prix, Beltoise was in P201/02 and a third P201 chassis had been built for Pescarolo. The two drivers qualified 15th and 24th respectively. The first P201 chassis was being rebuilt for Migault who used a P160 for this race. Pescarolo finished tenth, more than four minutes behind the winner Clay Regazzoni, and Beltoise retired on lap 5 when the engine stopped.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The German Grand Prix: Well done Regazzoni|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1974/21/german-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=September 1974|page=21|accessdate=6 January 2016}} For the Austrian Grand Prix, BRM made only one entry as a result of internal difficulties and Beltoise had P201/02 and P201/03 available. He practised both cars, qualified 18th, raced 02, and retired on lap 22 with engine failure.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Austrian Grand Prix: Reutemann all the way|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1974/44/austrian-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=October 1974|page=44|accessdate=6 January 2016}}
At Monza, a fourth chassis was produced which was used by Pescarolo. Beltoise used P201/03 and Migault P201/02. Beltoise qualified 11th, Migault 24th, and Pescarolo 25th and last. Beltoise and Migault both retired after one lap with electrical and gearbox failure respectively. Pescarolo retired on lap 4 with engine failure.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The 45th Italian Grand Prix: Peterson keeps the faith again|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/october-1974/23/45th-italian-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=October 1974|page=23|accessdate=6 January 2016}}
At Canada, Pescarolo and Migault were both dropped from the team and Beltoise was joined by Chris Amon after the closure of his own team. Amon drove P201/04, qualifying 25th and Beltoise 03, qualifying 17th. Amon finished 17th, but was 10 laps behind and Beltoise 18th, 20 laps behind. Both were officially not-classified.{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The Canadian Grand Prix: Fittipaldi a worthy first|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1974/42/united-states-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=November 1974|page=42|accessdate=7 January 2016}} At the American Grand Prix, Beltoise did not qualify after crashing P201/03 in practice but Amon qualified 04 in 12th position and finished ninth, 2 laps down.{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The United States Grand Prix: Reutemann the Winner, but Fittipaldi the Champion|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/november-1974/21/united-states-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=November 1974|page=21|accessdate=7 January 2016}}
=1975=
At the end of the {{f1|1974}} season, Beltoise retired from F1 and Pescarolo left the team. BRM P201s participated in 11 of the 15 races in {{f1|1975}}, with one entry on each occasion. British driver Mike Wilds competed in the first two races, at Argentina and Brazil. He qualified 22nd at each race and retired from both, with engine failure (24 laps) and a broken flywheel (22 laps) respectively. He drove chassis No. P201/04 on each occasion.{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The Argentine Grand Prix|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/february-1975/22/argentine-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=February 1975|page=22|accessdate=8 January 2016}}{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The Brazilian Grand Prix: Pace scores from Fittipaldi at home|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/March-1975/39/brazilian-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=March 1975|page=39|accessdate=8 January 2016}}
Wilds was replaced for South Africa, by British driver Bob Evans. Evans qualified P201/02 in 24th place and finished 15th, 2 laps down.{{cite web|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The South African Grand Prix: Scheckter is the new national hero|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/April-1975/36/the-south-african-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=April 1975|page=36|accessdate=8 January 2016}} At the Spanish Grand Prix, he qualified a new chassis, P201/05, in 23rd position and retired after seven laps with fuel system problems.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink = Denis Jenkinson|title=The Spanish Grand Prix: Catastrophic|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1975/36/spanish-grand-prix-catastrophic|work=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=June 1975|accessdate=8 January 2016}} At Monaco, Evans failed to qualify chassis 05.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The 33rd Monaco Grand Prix: Lauda all the way|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/june-1975/26/33rd-monaco-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=June 1975|page=26|accessdate=8 January 2016}} In Belgium, he qualified P201/02 in 20th position and finished ninth, 2 laps down.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=Grote Prijs van Belgie: Another Ferrari domination|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1975/34/grote-prijs-van-belgie|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=July 1975|page=34|accessdate=9 January 2016}} For the Swedish Grand Prix, Evans resumed in P201/05, qualified 23rd and finished 13th, two laps behind.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Swedish Grand Prix: Ferrari Again|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/july-1975/34/swedish-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=July 1975|page=21|accessdate=9 January 2016}} At the Dutch Grand Prix, he qualified P201/05 in 20th position but retired after 23 laps with transmission problems.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Dutch Grand Prix: An Englishman wins|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1975/44/dutch-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=August 1975|page=44|accessdate=10 January 2016}} At the French Grand Prix, Evans qualified P201/02 in 25th place and finished 17th two laps down.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The French Grand Prix: Runaway win for Ferrari|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/august-1975/57/french-grand-prix|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=August 1975|page=57|accessdate=10 January 2016}}
The BRM team did not appear at the British or German Grands Prix stating that the V12 engine was felt to be uncompetitive.{{cite web|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The British Grand Prix - Chaotic|url=http://www.motorsportmagazine.com/archive/article/september-1975/45/british-grand-prix-chaotic|website=Motor Sport magazine archive|date=September 1975|page=45|accessdate=10 January 2016}} However, Evans qualified P201/02 in 22nd place but retired with engine problems (3 laps) at the Austrian Grand Prix.{{cite magazine|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Austrian Grand Prix: A washout|magazine=Motor Sport magazine|date=October 1975|pages=1129–31}} At the Italian Grand Prix, he qualified P201/05 in 20th position, but retired on lap one with electrical problems.{{cite magazine|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The Italian Grand Prix: A Ferrari Walk-over|magazine=Motor Sport magazine|date=October 1975|pages=1115–17}}
=1976–1977=
The BRM P201, upgraded to P201B specification, made only one appearance in each of the {{f1|1976}} and {{f1|1977}} seasons.{{cite web|title=BRM P201B|url=http://www.statsf1.com/en/brm-p201b.aspx|website=statsf1.com|accessdate=7 December 2015}} At the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix, British driver Ian Ashley qualified chassis P201/04 in 21st place and retired on lap three, with oil pump failure.{{cite magazine|last=Henry|first=Alan|authorlink=Alan Henry|title=The Brazilian Grand Prix: Lauda confirms Ferrari's mastery|date=March 1976|magazine=Motor Sport magazine|pages=248–251}} BRM did not enter any further races in 1976 and after a non-appearance at the next race, in South Africa, the team was reported to have closed.{{cite magazine|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=BRM|date=April 1976|magazine=Motor Sport magazine|page=366}}
However, the team entered nine races in 1977, with the un-competitive BRM P207 qualifying only once. In addition, Australian Larry Perkins drove P201/04 at the South African Grand Prix, qualifying 22nd and finishing 15th, five laps behind winner Niki Lauda and three laps behind the rest of the field.{{cite magazine|last=Jenkinson|first=Denis|authorlink=Denis Jenkinson|title=The South African Grand Prix: Ferrari and Lauda back on form|date=April 1977|magazine=Motor Sport magazine|pages=402–4}}
Of the five P201s built, four survive, and three have appeared in historic racing.
Formula One World Championship results
(key)
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%"
!Year !Entrant !Engine !Tyres !Drivers !1 !2 !3 !4 !5 !6 !7 !8 !9 !10 !11 !12 !13 !14 !15 !16 !17 !Points !WCC |
| rowspan="5"| 1974
| rowspan="5"| {{Firestone}} | | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | BEL | MON | SWE | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | | ! rowspan="5"| 10{{smallsup|‡}} ! rowspan="5"| 7th{{smallsup|‡}} |
|---|
| Beltoise
| | |style="background-color:#DFDFDF;"| 2 |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 5 |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 10 |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 12 |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| NC |style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ | | |
| Pescarolo
| | | | | | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#F1F8FF;"| PO |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 10 | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret | | | | |
| Migault
| | | | | | | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret | | | | |style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret | | | | |
| Amon
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| NC |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 9 | | |
| rowspan="3"| 1975
| rowspan="3"| Stanley BRM | rowspan="3"| {{Goodyear}} | | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | MON | BEL | SWE | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | USA | | | ! rowspan="3"| 0{{smallsup |
! rowspan="3"| —{{smallsup|}}
|-
| Wilds
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
| Evans
|
|
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 15
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|style="background:#FFCFCF;"| DNQ
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 9
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 13
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 17
|
|
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|
|
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2"| 1976
| rowspan="2"| Stanley BRM
| rowspan="2"| {{Goodyear}}
|
| BRA
| RSA
| USW
| ESP
| BEL
| MON
| SWE
| FRA
| GBR
| GER
| AUT
| NED
| ITA
| CAN
| USA
| JPN
|
! rowspan="2"| 0{{smallsup|}}
! rowspan="2"| —{{smallsup|}}
|-
|style="background:#EFCFFF;"| Ret
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
! rowspan="2"| 1977
| rowspan="2"| Rotary Watches Stanley BRM
| rowspan="2"| {{Goodyear}}
|
| ARG
| BRA
| RSA
| USW
| ESP
| MON
| BEL
| SWE
| FRA
| GBR
| GER
| AUT
| NED
| ITA
|USA
| CAN
| JPN
! rowspan="2"| 0{{smallsup|}}
! rowspan="2"| —{{smallsup|}}
|-
| Perkins
|
|
|style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|-
!colspan="24"|{{center|{{small|Sources:{{cite book|last=Small|first=Steve|title=The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who|date=1994|publisher=Guinness|pages= 24, 37, 56, 128, 255, 284, 286 and 401 |isbn=0851127029}}}}}}
|}
‡ Points were also scored by the P160 chassis.
Non-Championship results
(key)
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%"
! Year ! Entrant ! Engine ! Driver ! Tyres ! 1 ! 2 ! 3 |
| rowspan="2"| {{F1|1975}}
| rowspan="2"| Stanley BRM | | rowspan="2"| {{Goodyear}} | ROC | INT | SUI |
| Evans
|style="background:#DFFFDF;"| 6 |style="background:#CFCFFF;"| 10 | |
| rowspan="3"| {{F1|1976}}
| rowspan="3"| Stanley BRM | | rowspan="3"| {{Goodyear}} | ROC | INT | |
| Ashley
| DNA | | |
| Perkins
| DNA | | |
| colspan="8"|{{center|{{small|Source:}}}} |
|---|
References
{{commons category|BRM P201}}
{{reflist|30em}}
{{BRM}}
{{F1 cars 1974}}
{{F1 cars 1975}}
{{F1 cars 1976}}
{{F1 cars 1977}}