Brabham BT49

Brabham BT49
Brabham BT49C
Brabham BT49D

The BT49C being driven by Piquet at Monaco in 1981
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Brabham
Designer(s)	Gordon Murray (Technical Director) David North (Chief Designer)
Predecessor	BT48
Successor	BT50
Technical specifications
Chassis	Aluminium alloy monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone pullrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone pullrod or Rocker arm
Axle track	Front: 1,702 mm (67.0 in) Rear: 1,626 mm (64.0 in)
Wheelbase	2,718 mm (107.0 in)
Engine	Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Hewland FGA 400 / Alfa Romeo 6-speed manual
Weight	580 kg (1,278.7 lb)
Fuel	1979: Agip 1980–1981: Elf 1981–1982: Valvoline
Tyres	Goodyear / Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	Parmalat Racing Brabham
Notable drivers	Nelson Piquet Ricardo Zunino Héctor Rebaque Riccardo Patrese
Debut	1979 Canadian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F/Laps 38 36 F1 WC 2 F1 other 7 7 F1 WC 0 F1 other 7 6 F1 WC 1 F1 other 4 4 F1 WC 0 F1 other
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	1 (1981, Nelson Piquet)

The Brabham BT49 /ˈbræbəm/ is a Formula One racing car designed by South African Gordon Murray for the British Brabham team. The BT49 competed in the 1979 to 1982 Formula One World Championships and was used by Brazilian driver Nelson Piquet to win his first World Championship in 1981.

The car was initially designed in 1979 as a short notice replacement for the team's Alfa Romeo-engined BT48, after Brabham team owner Bernie Ecclestone decided to end his relationship with the Italian engine manufacturer. The BT49 was created in only six weeks using elements of the BT48 chassis together with the widely used Cosworth DFV engine. The monocoque chassis is made from aluminium alloy and carbon fibre composites. The car was fitted with controversial hydropneumatic suspension and water-cooled brakes at different points in its life.

The BT49 was updated over four seasons taking a total of seven wins, six poles and 135 points. Seventeen were eventually built, most of which survive today. Some are used successfully in historic motorsport; Christian Glaesel won the 2005 FIA Historic Formula One Championship driving a BT49D.