Brabham BT62 takes shape – 741bhp, 1200kg of downforce and more

It’s the Brabham BT62, the first product of Brabham Automotive and the car out to show the McLaren Senna a thing or two – raising the tantalising prospect of a latterday hypercar battle between two of Formula One’s greatest names. 

Along with the latest picture to whet our appetites – it shows the car’s rear end with the huge carbon-fibre wing and distinctive LED taillights – the gaps in the car’s spec are starting to be filled in. 

The engine is a 5.4-litre V8 putting out 741bhp and the surprise is it is naturally-aspirated. Latest info calls it “a Brabham engine”.

Dry weight is claimed to be 972kg – so expect plenty of carbon, though confirmed so far are only the carbon wing and carbon brakes, six-piston jobs front and rear. 

With such a spec it’s clear the BT62 is aiming right at the top from the off. Against the McLaren Senna, for example, its dry weight is over 200kg less and consequently, power-weight ratios go in the Brabham’s favour: 720 plays 659bhp per tonne. Then there’s that downforce: the Senna boasts 800kg against the BT62’s 1200. 

Brabham’s track-focused hypercar has it all to prove of course but this new company, headed by the Le Mans-winning son of triple F1 World Champion Sir Jack, is certainly bullish: “BT62 is pure-bred for the track and capable of setting blistering lap times. It is designed and engineered to demand more from the driver and reward the limited few who will rise to its challenge.” 

Like rival hypercar companies, Brabham plans a driver development programme to help owners to exploit the BT62’s performance on the track.

Brabham Automotive says they are going to build 70 BT62s, to mark 70 years since Sir Jack launched his racing career in Australia. Each will cost £1 million plus taxes, and orders are now being taken for delivery, says Brabham, before the end of the year.

There’s a lot still to know but the rebirth of Brabham story does get more interesting by the week. It’s a story that’s been a long time coming – it is 26 years since the last Brabham BT – so we can perhaps forgive them for stretching out the launch. The full reveal in London doesn’t come until 2 May, after which the car, and a heritage collection of Brabham racers, will be on show to the public at an as-yet unknown location. It’s free but you will need a ticket: get that at  www.brabhamautomotive.com/exhibition

Until then the guessing game goes on: is it road legal? Will it race? Can McLaren sleep at night?