the design of the MP4/4, saying that the BT55's design had no bearing on the car and that it was actually a development of its predecessor, the Nichols designed MP4/3. The lying down driver position has again become the standard in Formula One since 1988 (again, confirmed later by Nichols, Mathew Jefferys and other engineering staff at McLaren). Brabham regrouped with the much more conventional BT56, but had to re-use the tilted over BMW engine and a new, 5" shorter, Weismann 6 speed gearbox as the German manufacturer, already reducing its involvement in Formula One, had sold the supply of conventional engines to Megatron for use by Arrows, and later Ligier. BMW pulled out of Formula One altogether at the end of 1987. Bernie Ecclestone sold the Brabham team to Alfa Romeo and the team missed the 1988 season. Complete Formula One results (key) Footnotes References Books Magazines Brabham Formula One cars