Video: Piquet pilots Brabham BMW BT52 at FOS

21st July 2020

Laura Thomson

It may have missed out on a spot on our list of the best BMW racing cars due to a technicality (it wasn’t technically a BMW), but the Brabham BMW BT52 was an impressive beast nonetheless.

Debuting at the 1983 Brazilian Grand Prix, it contested that year’s Formula 1 World Championship in the hands of future triple champion Nelson Piquet and multiple race-winner Riccardo Patrese, winning one race in its original form and three in the B specification.

Powered by a turbocharged 1.5-litre four-cylinder BMW engine, producing over 1,000PS in qualifying spec, its prowess was such that Piquet took that year’s Championship title (his first), with Brabham taking a respectable third in the World Constructors' Championship.

And a restored version cut a resplendent shape on the Goodwood Hillclimb back in 2013 as Piquet piloted it up the 1.16-mile tarmac strip.

In its original Parmalat livery, the BT52 – hailed by many as one of the best looking F1 cars ever – was rebuilt by BMW engineers using modern F1 technology, allowing it to set an impressive run on the Duke of Richmond’s driveway…

Welcome to Goodwood Elevenses, a mid-morning helping of motoring-related amusement to help break up your day. Watch the last video: The V12 symphony of a Ferrari 512 M