Tony Southgate and Dave Wass, designers for the American Shadow team founded by Don Nichols in 1973, had impressed observers in 1974 with the DN3. For the 1975 season, they introduced the new Shadow DN5. This new single-seater featured an improved aluminum monocoque chassis, which was stiffer and lighter than its predecessor. The car was powered by the classic Ford Cosworth DFV engine, paired with the new six-speed Hewland TL200 gearbox.
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| Shadow DN5, Tom Pryce Nürburgring, German gp 1975 |
The DN5 had an aerodynamic design with a particularly low nose and very short side pods, inside which the cooling radiators were moved toward the rear to improve the car’s balance. Delays in designing and assembling the new car meant that the team started the championship with only one DN5, entrusted to Jean-Pierre Jarier, while the other driver, Tom Pryce, used an updated DN3B for the first two races. The new DN5, in addition to retaining the team’s signature “all-black” livery, immediately proved to be highly competitive. It secured pole position in the first two races of the season, but in both events, it was forced to retire due to technical issues—not before setting the fastest lap in the Brazilian Grand Prix.
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| Shadow DN5, Tom Pryce Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1975 |
Despite excellent weight distribution, which made the car easy to drive, and strong qualifying performance, the DN5 proved to be particularly fragile and unreliable in races, accumulating a total of 16 retirements throughout the season. The only notable results in 1975 were Pryce’s third-place finish in Austria and a few other minor points finishes, earning the team 9.5 points and securing sixth place in the Constructors' Championship. During the season, specifically for the Austrian and Italian Grands Prix, Jarier was given a new version of the car, the Shadow DN7. While the chassis, suspension, and bodywork remained the same as the DN5, the car was equipped with a Matra V12 engine, still paired with the Hewland TL200 gearbox.
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| Shadow DN7, Jean-PIerre Jarier Monza, GP d'Italia 1975 |
However, the increased power of the French engine was completely negated by its heavier weight and higher fuel consumption. Additionally, the car’s extended wheelbase and increased rear weight, not compensated by revised suspension, compromised its handling. The disappointing results led the American team to abandon the DN7 project after just two races, reverting to the more competitive DN5.
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| Shadow DN5, Tom Pryce Zeltweg, GP d'Austria 1975 |
In 1976, the Shadow team decided to extend the DN5’s lifespan, entering it again in the updated "B" version, with both of their 1975 drivers retained. In the first race of the season in Brazil, Pryce secured an encouraging third place, while Jarier set the fastest lap. However, these remained the only significant results of the year. Pryce managed to score another points finish before debuting the new DN8 later in the season, which would go on to compete in 1977.
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