In the history of the BRM, the P201 represented a model in contrast to those previously made by the British factory. This in particular for the characteristic triangular section aluminum body and the wide nose with the radiators moved on the sides (following the example of the Lotus 72). Designed by Mike Pilbeam, this car was used in the '74 Formula 1 World Championship and achieved its best result in South Africa in its maiden race, with Frenchman Jean-Pierre Beltoise second in the behind Carlos Reutemann's Brabham. The BRM P201, which had taken the place of the P160, was built around the V12 engine.