Connew

History

In 1969, Peter Connew resigned from his job after his employer refused time off to attend the Italian Grand Prix at Monza. Upon returning, he was hired by Surtees as a draughtsman. After a falling out with John Surtees, Connew left to design his own car. He rented a garage in Chadwell Heath and began constructing the chassis jig in December 1970, assisted by Roger Doran and his cousin Barry Boor.

Connew's design philosophy emphasised efficiency and ease of maintenance. The car was tested in a wind tunnel at a local technical college. Drivers Tony Trimmer, Howden Ganley and Gerry Birrell viewed the car, with Trimmer calling it one of the most comfortable cars he had sat in. The team planned to debut at the Monaco Grand Prix, but a rule change forced construction of another chassis in a different aluminium.

Connew purchased a second hand Cosworth DFV engine from McLaren. François Migault signed to drive and provided a Ford truck, which broke down before reaching the French Grand Prix; the team instead tested at the Bugatti Circuit in Le Mans. The car practiced for the 1972 British Grand Prix but was withdrawn after a cracked rear upright was found. At the 1972 German Grand Prix, the team was denied entry for lacking a proper prior entry.

The car was modified and entered the 1972 Austrian Grand Prix. Migault qualified at the back of the field despite engine troubles. After 22 laps, a rear wishbone mounting point failed, causing the car to swerve toward the barriers on the start/finish straight, but Migault brought it to a halt without damage.