When British F1 driver Sir Jackie Steward opted to use a Ford-Cosworth DFV in 1969, Matra won both the drivers’ and constructors’ championship titles, a first for the French company.
Matra didn’t give up on its engine program, later developing an upgraded version called the MS12. Taking inspiration from the engine configurations of Cosworth, the MS12 carried over most of the MS9 design including the block and crankshaft.
The cylinder head got the most significant changes, enabling the engine to produce equal power levels as Cosworth at 10,000 rpm. As a result, the V12 was able to deliver 450 hp at 11,000 rpm (a 60 hp increase) and 253 lb-ft of torque at 8,000 rpm.
However, the racing team only scored five podiums and three fastest laps between the 1970-1972 F1 seasons.
