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Brian Hart
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Brian Roger Hart (7 September 1936 – 5 January 2014) was a British racing driver and engineer with a background in the aviation industry. He founded Brian Hart Limited, a company that developed and built engines for motorsport use.[1]
Key Information
Racing career
[edit]Beginning in 1958 with a Lotus Seven in the 1172 championship, in 1959, Hart teamed up with Len Terry to drive his Terrier Mk2 in the championship and won the Chapman Trophy.[2] In 1960, he drove Terry's front-engined Formula Junior Terrier Mk4 and developed a downdraught head for the Ford Anglia engine powering the car. At Oulton Park in October 1960, Hart had a bad crash with the car, which led to Terry designing the Mk4 series 2, which Hart drove in 1961. The rear-engined cars were now the state of the art and Hart had only limited success with the car.[citation needed] Hart enjoyed a successful career as a driver in various single-seater formulae. He competed in Formula Junior and Formula Three, then graduated to Formula Two with the works Lotus Formula Two team run by Ron Harris.[3] He competed in a handful of non-championship Formula One races using Formula Two cars and in 1967, he qualified for the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in a Protos-Cosworth.[4]
As Hart's professional life took more of his time, he retired from racing in 1971.
Engineering career
[edit]It was towards the end of 1967 that Hart began working at the de Havilland aircraft company at Hatfield, England. The company provided training in the design and construction of airframes and aero engines. He then moved to the renowned engine builder Cosworth, but left in 1969 to form his own eponymous company to service Cosworth's Ford FVA engines. Brian Hart Limited was soon commissioned by Ford to work on new engine development, in a similar role to his former employer. Hart developed the Ford BDA, which would be used in Ford's rally programs throughout the 1970s.
The Hart-tuned Ford FVA and BDA engines were successful in Formula Two, with Ronnie Peterson winning the European title with an FVA in 1971 and Mike Hailwood taking the same title in 1972 with a BDA. The arrival in F2 of BMW and Renault left Ford reluctant to increase its involvement, so Hart chose to develop his own F2 engine - the 420R - which was first raced in a Chevron sportscar in 1976. This engine was a race winner in F2 in 1977 and 1978.
The off-season of 1978-79 brought the next step in the development of Brian Hart Limited, when the Toleman F2 team committed to providing finance for R&D. Toleman-Hart dominated the European F2 Championship in 1980, with Brian Henton and Derek Warwick finishing 1st and 2nd in the championship standings.
Formula One
[edit]As part of Toleman's entry into the FIA Formula One World Championship in 1981, Hart developed a turbocharged version of the 420R. Although it was initially underpowered and unreliable, it was enough to establish Brian Hart Limited as a Formula One engine supplier. Hart continued as Toleman's engine partner until the team's purchase by Benetton and later supplied engines to RAM, Haas Lola and Tyrrell in the 1980s, as well as Jordan and Arrows in the 1990s.
Turbocharging was prohibited at the end of 1988 in response to the increasing four-figure power outputs, which meant a return to developing naturally aspirated configurations that had not been widely used since the beginning of the decade. Cosworth, however, was one company that - aside from its V6 turbo project, which was only used for less than two years - had continued to build naturally aspirated V8s for F2 and a few of the least well funded F1 teams.[5] Brian Hart Limited returned to its previous role as a tuning and servicing specialist, working in partnership with Cosworth to develop its DFZ and DFR engines (which owed a lot to the original DFV).
By 1992, Brian Hart Limited had funded the design of its first V10 engine - the Type 1035 - and in November that year, it announced an exclusive two-year deal to supply Jordan Grand Prix. It was a promising partnership that brought some good results - notably, Rubens Barrichello's 3rd place at the 1994 Pacific Grand Prix at Aida, Japan. However, when Peugeot decided to enter Formula One and offered Jordan a factory deal, the contract with Hart was not renewed. Hart instead opted to supply Footwork/Arrows, which was struggling financially at the time.[6] The lack of funds prevented Hart from developing the V10 and the older V8 was used instead.
In 1997, Hart turned to Minardi and began working on another V10 design, but he was never able to fully finance the project. When Arrows' owner, Tom Walkinshaw, purchased Brian Hart Limited later that year, the injection of capital turned that design into the Arrows V10. The deal was marred by legal action taken over money that was allegedly owed and Brian Hart parted company with Arrows and Formula One before the end of the year.
Arrows itself went into liquidation in 2002.
Complete World Championship Grand Prix results
[edit](key)
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | WDC | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | Ron Harris | Protos (F2) | Ford Straight-4 | RSA | MON | NED | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER NC |
CAN | ITA | USA | MEX | NC | 0 |
References
[edit]- ^ Formula One. "Brian Hart, engine builder who powered Ayrton Senna to first Formula One podium, dies aged 77". Telegraph. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ Cruickshank, Gordon (March 2004). "Len Terry". Motor Sport magazine archive. p. 62. Retrieved 11 November 2015.
- ^ "Lotus (Team Lotus) Profile - Teams - GP Encyclopedia - F1 History on Grandprix.com". Grandprix.com. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 26 September 2007. Retrieved 2006-12-22.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "F1 News - Grandprix.com > GP Encyclopedia > Engines > Cosworth Engineering". Grandprix.com. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
- ^ "Arrows Grand Prix Profile - Teams - GP Encyclopedia - F1 History on Grandprix.com". Grandprix.com. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 13 January 2014.
Sources
[edit]Brian Hart
View on GrokipediaEarly Life
Birth and Background
Brian Hart was born on 7 September 1936 in Enfield, Middlesex, England. [1] [4] He was British. [4] As a teenager, Hart developed a passion for motor racing after attending the 1949 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. [2] He served an apprenticeship with the De Havilland Aircraft Company, receiving training in airframe and aero-engine design, which provided an early professional foundation in aviation engineering. [5] [2] This technical background in the aviation industry preceded his involvement in motorsport. [5] Limited details are available on his family or early childhood environment in reliable sources.Career
Brian Hart began his involvement in motor racing as a driver after attending the 1949 British Grand Prix at Silverstone. He competed in club events and advanced through Formula Junior, Formula Three, and Formula Two, achieving notable victories including at Enna-Pergusa in 1964 and Hockenheim in 1969.[1][2] In the late 1960s, Hart shifted focus to engine preparation after working at Cosworth. He founded Brian Hart Ltd in 1969, initially specializing in tuning Ford-Cosworth FVA engines for Formula Two. His engines contributed to Ronnie Peterson winning the 1971 European Formula Two championship and Mike Hailwood securing the 1972 title.[2][1] Hart entered Formula One engine supply through a partnership with Toleman, designing the turbocharged Hart 415T engine introduced in 1981. This engine powered Ayrton Senna to a breakthrough second-place finish at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix and additional podiums that season.[3][1] In subsequent years, Hart engines powered teams including Jordan, Footwork, and Minardi, with highlights such as Rubens Barrichello's pole position at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix at Spa and podium finishes for Barrichello and Gianni Morbidelli. Known for competing effectively against better-resourced manufacturers, Hart sold his company in 1997 and retired from the sport.[2]Personal Life
Family and Personal Interests
Brian Hart was married four times and had three daughters and two sons.[1] Little is known about his personal life beyond his professional career in motor racing and engine building. No specific details on hobbies or other personal interests are publicly documented in reliable sources.Death
Passing and Obituaries
Brian Hart passed away on 5 January 2014 at the age of 77 following an illness. [6] [7] The British Racing Drivers' Club announced his death with regret, describing him as a Life Member who had enjoyed a successful career in motor racing. [8] Tributes from across the Formula One community followed, including a statement from the Force India team offering condolences to his friends and family. [6] Former Jordan designer Gary Anderson highlighted Hart's pure racing instinct and no-nonsense approach, noting the satisfaction he derived from competing successfully against better-funded rivals. [6] Obituaries in specialist publications reflected on his passing, with Autosport and others marking the loss of a significant figure in British motorsport engineering. [2] The motor racing world mourned the end of an era for independent engine builders. [9]Legacy
Recognition and Impact
Brian Hart is remembered as one of the last independent engine builders in Formula One, celebrated for his technical ingenuity and ability to achieve competitive results against far better-funded manufacturers. His engines powered breakthroughs for young drivers and smaller teams, notably supplying the Hart 415T turbo engine that enabled Ayrton Senna to take second place at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix—Senna's first F1 podium—and additional podiums that season with Toleman. In the 1990s, his 1035 V10 engine delivered Rubens Barrichello's pole position at the 1994 Belgian Grand Prix and a podium at the Pacific Grand Prix for Jordan.[3][2][1] Hart's work also contributed to championships in lower formulas, including Ronnie Peterson's 1971 European F2 title and Mike Hailwood's 1972 title with Hart-tuned engines. He was admired for his modesty, hands-on approach, and success on limited budgets, often described as a classic "garagista." Upon his death in 2014, obituaries highlighted his lasting influence on motorsport and his role in supporting emerging talent and independent teams. No major individual awards are documented, but his reputation in the racing community endures through his contributions to teams like Toleman, Jordan, Footwork, and Minardi.Archival Presence
Brian Hart's contributions are preserved primarily through historical motorsport records, race footage, technical analyses, and obituary articles rather than personal media archives. Notable races featuring his engines, such as the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix and 1994 Belgian Grand Prix, remain available in Formula One historical footage and documentaries. His company's engine designs and development history are documented in specialist motorsport publications and archives. No wiped or missing material is reported from his engineering career.Selected Credits Overview
Brian Hart's key contributions are in engine development rather than on-screen credits. The following provides an overview of selected highlights from his engineering career:| Year | Team/Series | Engine | Notable Achievement |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | March (F2) | Hart-tuned Cosworth FVA | Ronnie Peterson wins European F2 Championship |
| 1972 | Surtees (F2) | Hart BDA | Mike Hailwood wins European F2 Championship |
| 1980 | Toleman (F2) | Hart 420R | Brian Henton wins European F2 Championship |
| 1984 | Toleman (F1) | Hart 415T | Ayrton Senna 2nd at Monaco GP; two additional podiums |
| 1994 | Jordan (F1) | Hart 1035 V10 | Rubens Barrichello pole at Belgian GP; podium at Pacific GP |
| 1995 | Footwork (F1) | Hart 830 V8 | Gianni Morbidelli 3rd at Australian GP |