Privateer (motorsport)

Motorsport entrant without manufacturer support

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In motorsport, a privateer is usually an entrant into a racing event that is not directly supported by an automobile or motorcycle manufacturer. Privateers teams are often found competing in rally, circuit racing and motorcycle racing events and often include competitors who build and maintain their own vehicles and motorcycles. In previous Formula One seasons, privately owned teams would race using the chassis of another team or constructor in preference to building their own car; the Concorde Agreement now prohibits this practice. Increasingly, the term is being used in a Formula One context to refer to teams, such as Williams, that are not at least part-owned by large corporations. Many privateer entrants compete for the enjoyment of the sport, and are not paid to be racing drivers.

## Privateers in Formula One

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See also: List of Formula One constructors § Privateer teams

From the inaugural 1950 season until 1981, several privateer teams entered chassis at Formula One Grands Prix. Some of them—such as Tyrrell and Williams—later began to build their own chassis and thus became constructors, as well as works teams. At the 1981 Spanish Grand Prix, Equipe Banco Occidental became the last privateer team to enter Formula One, using a Williams chassis.[1] Privateer entries have been prohibited in Formula One since 1981 under the first Concorde Agreement.

### Privateer wins at Formula One Grands Prix

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As of the 2025 Hungarian Grand Prix, there have been 20 victories by three privateer teams at Formula One Grands Prix: 10 by Matra International/Tyrrell Racing, nine by Rob Walker Racing Team and one by FISA. The first win was achieved by Walker at the 1958 Argentine Grand Prix, and the last win was achieved by Tyrrell at the 1970 Spanish Grand Prix.

No.  | Driver  | Entrant  | Chassis  | Engine  | Tyres  | Grand Prix

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1  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Cooper T43 | Climax FPF 2.0 L4 | D | 1958 Argentine
2  |  Maurice Trintignant |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Cooper T45 | Climax FPF 2.0 L4 | D | 1958 Monaco
3  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Cooper T51 | Climax FPF 2.5 L4 | D | 1959 Portuguese
4  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Cooper T51 | Climax FPF 2.5 L4 | D | 1959 Italian
5  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Lotus 18 | Climax FPF 2.5 L4 | D | 1960 Monaco
6  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Lotus 18 | Climax FPF 2.5 L4 | D | 1960 United States
7  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Lotus 18 | Climax FPF 1.5 L4 | D | 1961 Monaco
8  |  Giancarlo Baghetti |  FISA | Ferrari 156 | Ferrari Type 178 1.5 V6 | D | 1961 French
9  |  Stirling Moss |  R.R.C. Walker Racing Team | Lotus 18/21 | Climax FPF 1.5 L4 | D | 1961 German
10  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS10 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1968 Dutch
11  |  Jo Siffert |  Rob Walker/Jack Durlacher Racing Team | Lotus 49B | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | F | 1968 British
12  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS10 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1968 German
13  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS10 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1968 United States
14  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS10 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 South African
15  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS80 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 Spanish
16  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS80 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 Dutch
17  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS80 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 French
18  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS80 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 British
19  |  Jackie Stewart |  Matra International | Matra MS80 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1969 Italian
20  |  Jackie Stewart |  Tyrrell Racing Organisation | March 701 | Ford Cosworth DFV 3.0 V8 | D | 1970 Spanish
Source:[citation needed]

Key: (Bold) Driver won the World Drivers' Championship; (Italics) Constructor won the World Constructors' Championship

### Formula One World Championships by privateer teams

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Across 32 seasons, only one privateer team contributed to a Formula One World Championship: Matra International in 1969. The team—later known as Tyrrell Racing Organisation—helped constructor Matra win the World Constructors' Championship with the MS80, and driver Jackie Stewart win his maiden World Drivers' Championship.

## See also

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* Factory-backed

## References

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1. ^ "1981 Spanish Grand Prix Entry list".

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