Classic F1 Cars – BRM P201

British Racing Motors began life in 1945.The war was finished but for this team the Grand Prix war had just started. Based in Lincolnshire the company was a team of patriotic enthusiasts but in 1954 the Owen Racing Organisation took control. After the war BRM utilised the old ERA works and retained some of the pre-war employees; right from the first moment they set out their stall, daring and imaginative. Their first engine was a 1.5 V16 supercharge beast that would prove a challenge to drive and could make the tyres loose traction and wheel-spin at will. The story of BRM is well documented but highlights included taking the World Championship for drivers and constructors in 1962 and running a close second into the very early 70s. The ups and downs went on through the decades but always prepared to take a chance BRM put some big names in the driving seat including Hill, Gurney, Surtess and Courage. By 1974 the wheels were starting to come off and that’s where we meet our hero the P201. The F1 car looked like a stealth fighter, before the aircraft had even been thought of, and was so stealthy in fact that the rest of the Grand Prix paddock failed to take notice of it. With the backing of Motul Oil the team started with all French Drivers, the highlight being Jean-Pierre Beltoise second at the South African GP, passing two class leading McLarens on route in his last season of F1. The only V12 engine on the grid, BRM dared to be different, not always wise but if you have ever heard this engine at speed, there is no competition. BRM built six of the Mike Pilbeam designed 450 bhp machines and although this was their ‘swansong’ they finished as they started; showing no fear. The company battled on producing engines for the likes of Lotus and Matra but the revival never happened and BRM just simply disappeared. Lest not forget BRM won 17 F1 Grand Prix between 1959 and 1972, the last four with the musical V12 engine.