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The Brabham BT44 was an F1 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.
The BT44 on display in 2003.
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.
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 Neve, Jac Nelleman, Damien Magee, Lella Lombardi and Bob Evans, none of whom had much success.
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Motor Racing Developments |
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Founders:  Jack Brabham | Ron Tauranac
Personnel:  Bernie Ecclestone |  Gordon Murray
Cars
Formula One: BT3 | BT7 | BT19 | BT20 | BT23 | BT24 | BT26 | BT33 | BT34 | BT37 | BT39 | BT42 | BT44/B | BT45 | BT46/B/C | BT48 | BT49/C/D | BT50 | BT51 | BT52 | BT53 | BT54 | BT55 | BT56 | BT58 | BT59/Y | BT60
Indianapolis 500/USAC: BT12 | BT25 | BT32
Formula Two: BT10 | BT11/A | BT16 | BT18 | BT23 | BT23C | BT30 | BT36 | BT38 | BT40
Formula Atlantic: BT23F/G | BT29 | BT35A/B | BT38B | BT40
Formula Three: BT9 | BT15 | BT16A | BT18A | BT21 | BT21B | BT21X | BT28 | BT35C | BT38C | BT41
Formula Junior: BT1 | BT2 | BT6
Other single seaters: BT4 | BT7A | BT14 | BT18B | BT21A | BT21C | BT22 | BT23A | BT23B | BT23D | BT23E | BT30X | BT31 | BT35X | BT36X | BT43
Sportscars: BT5 | BT8A | BT17
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Cars that competed in the 1974 Formula One season |
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Amon AF101 • Brabham BT42 • Brabham BT44 • BRM P160E • BRM P201 • Ensign N173 • Ensign N174 • Ferrari 312B3 • Hesketh 308 • Iso Marlboro FW • Lola T370 • Lotus 72E • Lotus 76 • Lyncar L006 • Maki F101B • March 731 • March 741 • McLaren M23 • Parnelli VPJ4 • Penske PC1 • Shadow DN1 • Shadow DN3 • Surtees TS16 • Token RJ02 • Trojan T103 • Tyrrell 004 • Tyrrell 005 • Tyrrell 006 • Tyrrell 007 |
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Cars that competed in the 1975 Formula One season |
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Brabham BT44B • BRM P201 • Ensign N174 • Ensign N175 • Ferrari 312B3 • Ferrari 312T • Fittipaldi FD01 • Fittipaldi FD02 • Hesketh 308B • Hesketh 308C • Hill GH1 • Lola T370 • Lotus 72D/72E • Lyncar L006 • Maki F101C • March 741 • March 751 • McLaren M23 • Parnelli VPJ4 • Penske PC1 • Shadow DN3B • Shadow DN5 • Shadow DN7 • Surtees TS16 • Tyrrell 007 • Williams FW01 • Williams FW02 • Williams FW03 • Williams FW04
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