Martini (cars)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Martini Cars is a constructor of Formula racing cars from France, founded by Tico Martini in 1965, when Martini and partner Bill Knight founded the Winfield Racing School in the Magny-Cours circuit. Martini's first car was the MW3, a Formula 3 car built in 1968.

Although better known for their successful efforts in F3, Formula Renault and other lower formulae during the 1970s and 1980s, they are also notorious for having taken part in eight rounds of the 1978 Formula One season with the single MK23 chassis, ensuring René Arnoux (future driver for Renault and Ferrari) his debut in Formula 1.

With Reynard, Ralt and Dallara crowding out the F3 market in the late 1980s, Martini reduced their customer program, keeping a stubborn presence in the French F3 championship during the 1990s, until Tico Martini finally sold the team to Guy Ligier in 2004.

[edit] Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 WDC Points
1978 Automobiles Martini Martini MK23 Ford Cosworth DFV ARG BRA RSA USW MON BEL ESP SWE FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA USA CAN NC 0
Flag of France René Arnoux DNQ DNPQ 9 14 DNPQ 9 Ret