Brabham BT44

Brabham BT44
Brabham BT44B

Brabham BT44 (1974)
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Brabham
Designer(s)	Gordon Murray
Predecessor	BT42
Successor	BT45
Technical specifications
Chassis	Aluminum Monocoque
Suspension (front)	Rising Rate Pullrod Actuated
Suspension (rear)	Multi-Link
Engine	Cosworth DFV 2993 cc 90 Degree V-8 Naturally Aspirated Mid-Engined
Transmission	Hewland FG400 5 Forward, 1 Reverse
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Motor Racing Developments
Notable drivers	7. Carlos Reutemann 8. Richard Robarts 8. Rikky von Opel 8. Carlos Pace
Debut	1974 Argentine Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps 36 5 2 4
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

The Brabham BT44 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Murray, Brabham's chief designer. An update of the partially successful BT42 of 1973, the BT44 was a simple design with a standard Ford DFV/Hewland gearbox combination, but was very clean aerodynamically. Murray had an eye for clean lines, and the BT44 was particularly graceful. He was also a forward thinker, and tinkered with side skirts and airdams on the car, a precursor to ground effects aerodynamics. Sponsorship came from Martini.

Carlos Reutemann in the all-white Brabham BT44 at the 1974 Race of Champions.

The 1974 season was successful for Brabham. Carlos Reutemann took 3 wins with the car, partnered by Carlos Pace who was able to string a series of promising results together. Brabham finished at a fighting fifth place in the Constructor's Championship after a closely fought season.

The BT44 was modified for 1975, and Pace won his first and only Grand Prix at his home event in Brazil, while Reutemann won at the Nürburgring. A series of other strong finishes helped Reutemann to finish third in the drivers' championship in 1975, whilst Brabham equalled his feat in the constructors' championship. Whilst the BT44 was a good car, it couldn't match the McLaren M23 or the Ferrari 312T.

File:1975 Brabham BT44B no. 7, Lime Rock.jpg

1975 Brabham BT44B

The BT44 was replaced by the Alfa Romeo powered BT45 for 1976 which proved to be a serious step back for the team. The BT44Bs were sold to RAM Racing, who ran them for a variety of drivers in the 1976 World Championship, including Loris Kessel, Emilio de Villota, Patrick Nève, Jac Nellemann, Damien Magee, Lella Lombardi and Bob Evans, none of whom had much success.

Partial Formula One World Championship results

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

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1974	Motor Racing Developments	BT44	Ford V8	G		ARG	BRA	RSA	ESP	BEL	MON	SWE	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	CAN	USA		35*	5th
					Carlos Reutemann	7	7	1	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	12	Ret	6	3	1	Ret	9	1
					Richard Robarts	Ret	15	17
					Rikky von Opel				Ret	Ret	DNQ	9	9	DNQ
					Carlos Pace										9	12	Ret	5	8	2
	Goldie Hexagon Racing			F	John Watson											Ret	4	7	Ret	5
1975	Martini Racing	BT44B	Ford V8	G		ARG	BRA	RSA	ESP	MON	BEL	SWE	NED	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	ITA	USA			54	2nd
					Carlos Reutemann	3	8	2	3	9	3	2	4	14	Ret	1	14	4	Ret
					Carlos Pace	Ret	1	4	Ret	3	8	Ret	5	Ret	2	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret
1976	RAM Racing	BT44B	Ford V8	G		BRA	RSA	USW	ESP	BEL	MON	SWE	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	CAN	USA	JPN	0	-
					Loris Kessel				DNQ	12		Ret	DNQ			NC
					Emilio de Villota				DNQ
					Patrick Nève					Ret
					Jac Nellemann							DNQ
					Damien Magee								DNQ
					Bob Evans									Ret
					Lella Lombardi									DNQ	DNQ	12

* Includes 1 point scored using a BT42.

See also

• Tyrrell P34
• Lotus 72