The national races in France had absolute priority for Matra.

In 1966 Beltoise won the important Formula 3 race in Monaco with the MS5.

In 1967 the works team dominated the Argentine championship and the two new works drivers Henri Pescarolo and Jean-Pierre Jabouille won the races in Monaco and Rouen.

Matra managing director Jean-Luc Lagardère had already concluded an agreement with Ken Tyrrell in 1965 in order to enter Formula 2 with the British racing team owner.

The car made its World Championship Grand Prix debut at the 1966 German Grand Prix, being driven by Belgian Jacky Ickx, and was involved in an accident with John Taylor's Brabham BT11 during the race.