Ferrari 312T
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The Ferrari 312T was a successful F1 design, based on the Ferrari 312B3 from 1974. It was designed by Mauro Forghieri for the 1975 season. It was an uncomplicated and clean design, that responded to mechanical upgrades.
Powered by the powerful and ultra reliable Flat-12 Boxer engine which gave around 510bhp, the T in the name stood for 'transverse,' as the gearbox was mounted in this way, improving the car's handling characteristics, which had been the downfall of its predecessor. Niki Lauda tested the car extensively during the off season, ready for a full on championship challenge. The hard work paid off, for after a slow start in which Brabham, Tyrrell and McLaren put up strong competition, Lauda won 4 out of 5 races mid season before snatching the title at Monza by finishing third, whilst Clay Regazzoni's win in that race secured Ferrari its first constructors' championship since 1964. Lauda went on to win the American Grand Prix at season's end, confirming Ferrari's superiority in 1975.
1976 started off the way 1975 had ended for Lauda, who won the first two races of the season and Regazzoni the third, before the 312T was replaced by the 312T2. This was effectively the same car, with detail changes to conform to the 1976 regulations which included the banning of the tall air boxes. The 312T2 was if anything, more successful than the 312T. Lauda was comfortably leading the world championship after another 3 wins, when at the German Grand Prix, he had a massive accident caused by a suspected rear suspension failure. In the aftermath he nearly burned to death, but was miraculously back racing just 6 weeks later. Lauda conceded the title by just a single point to James Hunt, but the 312T2's superiority helped Ferrari win its second consecutive constructor's title.
Lauda and Carlos Reutemann used the 312T2B to great effect in 1977, for although it was no longer the best car it was good enough to win the driver's championship for Lauda, who won more through the car's reliability than outright speed. He took 3 wins, while Reutemann won once. The constructors' championship was also secured for a third successive season before Lauda walked out on the team before season's end. He was replaced by the fiery Canadian Gilles Villeneuve but he couldn't get a handle on the T2B, as its neutral handling didn't suit his oversteering driving style. The Ferrari 312T2 had a lot of development work done to it, with several different noses tried, many rear wing profiles some especially tailored for specific circuits designed and numerous changes to the suspension and rear bodywork.
The 312T3 was introduced for 1978 for Villeneuve and Reutemann. It was much cleaner aerodynamically, and the flat 12 engine was tuned to give around 515bhp. A switch to Michelin tyres meant a redesign of the suspension was necessary. All the hard work came to nothing though as the Lotus 79 took on and beat all comers with ease that season, and Ferrari were left to pick up the pieces of any Lotus failures. Reutemann won 4 races, whilst Villeneuve broke his duck at the final race to win his home race in Canada, but it was more a season of consolidation. Reutemann moved to Lotus for 1979, replaced by Jody Scheckter.
To challenge Lotus, Forgheiri realised he had to follow their lead and design a ground effect car for 1979. The 312T4, introduced for 1979 was however not a proper ground effect car, the flat 12 engine being too wide to permit the correct underbody design. It was closely based on the 312T3 with further aerodynamic work being done. It was good enough to win 6 races in 1979, three each for Villeneuve and Scheckter. Other solid placings helped Ferrari win its fourth constructors' championship in 5 seasons and Scheckter his one and only drivers' title. But 1980 was a total disaster. The car was unreliable, slow and wasn't very effective against the competition.
After 27 wins, four constructors' and three drivers championships, the 312T series was replaced by the first Ferrari turbo for 1981.
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| 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| 125 | 275 340 375 |
553 625 |
555 D50 |
801 | 412 246 |
256 | 156 | 158 512 |
312 | 312 B | 312 T | 126 C | 156 | F1/8 | 641/2/3 | F | F | 412T1/2 | 310/B | 300 | 399 | F | F | F F |
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