To regain competitiveness with a more traditional car for the 1979 season, Ken Tyrrell’s team continued the project initiated by Maurice Philippe after the abandonment of the P34 two seasons earlier. The 1978 Tyrrell 008 still carried some of the mechanics of the P34, but the new Tyrrell 009 now featured a chassis designed specifically to maximize ground effect.
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| TYRRELL 009, Derek Daly Österreichring, Austrian GP 1979 |
The design of the new car closely followed that of the successful Lotus 79. The nose was much narrower than the previous model, permanently abandoning the front radiator solution to allow for better airflow toward the sidepods. The cooling system for the classic Ford-Cosworth DFV V8 engine was also completely redesigned. The radiators were now housed within the long sidepods, whose underfloor was sculpted to form the two venturi channels necessary for ground effect. The new aluminum monocoque chassis was stiffer and narrower, allowing for wider rear diffusers.
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| TYRRELL 009, Didier Pironi Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1979 |
At the top of the sidepods were vents for hot air, while in front of the rear wheels, two pronounced ramps helped streamline the large rear tires. The engine cover, positioned behind the driver, fully enclosed the power unit, while the rear suspension and the Hewland FGA 400 gearbox—now in a new six-speed configuration—were entirely hidden within the bodywork, which extended all the way to the rear wing.
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| TYRRELL 009, Didier Pironi Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1979 |
The 009 was driven by French drivers Didier Pironi and Jean-Pierre Jarier and proved to be a solid wing car, capable of good performances, including four podium finishes during the 1979 season (two third places each for Pironi and Jarier), as well as other strong results. The English team, based in Ockham, East Horsley, northwest of London, accumulated 28 points, finishing fifth in the Constructors' Championship.
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| TYRRELL 009, Geoff Lees Hockenheimring, German GP 1979 |
During the season, Jarier was replaced twice by English driver Geoff Lees and Irishman Derek Daly. Daly was also given a third official 009 for the last two races of the season in Canada and the United States. The 009 was also used by Tyrrell for the first two races of the 1980 season, still driven by Jarier and Daly, achieving a fourth-place finish in the opening Grand Prix.
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