BRM P153 - 3.0 Litre V12
Designed by Tony Southgate, the P153 marked BRM’s entry into the new 3.0-litre Formula One era. Racing across the 1970, 1971, and 1972 seasons, it carried forward the team’s unwavering commitment to engineering independence — building both chassis and engine in-house, true to BRM tradition.
While many British teams adopted the ubiquitous Cosworth DFV V8, BRM chose a different path. The P153 was powered by the team’s own 3.0-litre, 48-valve V12, producing approximately 435 bhp with a redline of 11,000 rpm. It was a bold statement of technical identity in an increasingly standardised field.
The car achieved its most memorable success at the 1970 Belgian Grand Prix, where Pedro Rodríguez secured victory after a fierce battle, crossing the line just 1.1 seconds ahead of the March driven by Chris Amon. It was a win defined by precision, control, and the unmistakable sound of a BRM V12 at full song.
Initially unveiled in traditional British Racing Green, the P153 soon adopted the colours of its title sponsor, Yardley of London, reflecting Formula One’s evolving commercial era. Yet beneath the new livery, the philosophy remained unchanged: independent engineering, technical ambition, and the pursuit of victory on BRM’s own terms.
