1977 Wolf WR4

Walter Wolf formed his own team in 1976. The prior year, he had provided financial support for the Frank Williams team. In his first year of competition, he used ex-Hesketh/Williams chassis. The Cosworth power V8 cars were old and did not score well.

Disappointed with the results, Wolf decided to build a proper F1 car for the 1977 season. Harvey Postlethwaite, of Hesketh fame, was hired as the designer. Postlethwaite created an aluminum monocoque with the DFV Ford/Cosworth engine bolted directly on the frame and acting as a stressed member. The result was dubbed the WR1 and it made its racing debut at the 1977 season opener, the Argentinean Grand Prix. In the capable hands of factory team driver Jody Scheckter, the car scored its first victory. Two more victories were earned throughout the season along with several podium finishes. In total, there were four examples of the WR1 produced (WR1 - WR4).

In 1978, the WR1 raced for the first part of the season, though it was showing its age and was off the pace compared to the competition. The new ground effects Wolf F1 entry was introduced, dubbed the WR5. It would not enjoy the same success as its predecessor and at the end of the season, Scheckter left the team and joined Ferrari.

WR4 was driven by Desire Wilson at the 1980 Brand Hatch race of the British National Championship.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2014