Who is the most underrated constructor in motorsport?

By Oliver Sansom

In the 75 years of Formula 1 there has been a plethora of iconic cars, ranging from the F2004 (Ferrari) to Lewis Hamilton’s W11 (Mercedes). 

But today we will be talking about the Brabham BT52. This was the car that helped Nelson Piquet claim his second drivers world title in 1983. 

Designed by legendary F1 designer, Gordon Murray, the BT52/BT552B achieved 4 wins out of 15 (27%) races, as well as 10 podiums, in the 1983 season. This meant that Brabham finished 3rd in the constructors championship, despite Riccardo Patrese only finishing 1 out of the first 9 races. 

The 1983 season saw a rule change which banned the previous “ground effect” cars. This change came suddenly and meant that designer, Gordon Murray, had to go back to the drawing board only six weeks out from the start of the season in Brazil. Murray not only managed to design a car which was race ready but designed a car which Piquet claimed, ‘was easy to drive’.  

The BT52 used Michelin tyres and used an engine designed by BMW. This was called the BMW M12/13 engine, which was a four-cylinder turbocharged engine. In qualifying the engine had 850bhp and in race trim this was tuned down to have 650bhp. Due to Piquet winning the drivers’ championship this meant that he was the first driver in the history of the sport to win a world title in a turbo-powered car. 

Something else which makes this car iconic, apart from the fact it won a drivers world title, is that after seven races into the season the team decided to change the chassis. This new chassis would be known as the BT52B. They didn’t just change the chassis, but they also decided to invert the livery on the car to signify the change.  

The change in the chassis mid-season proved to be a success for Piquet. He achieved five podiums, including two wins, in the final seven races of the season, a feat which saw him beat out rivals Alain Prost and Rene Arnoux.  

1983 was the final time that Brabham Formula 1 team would win a drivers world title. The team would only stay in F1 for another five years following this, leaving the grid in 1988 due to engine supplier issues. This would bring an end to its 26 year stay in F1.