Ferrari 312B

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Ferrari 312B

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Scuderia Ferrari
Designer	Mauro Forghieri
Chassis	Aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, inboard spring/damper.
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone suspension
Engine	Ferrari 001 3000cc Flat-12, naturally aspirated, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	manual
Fuel	Shell
Tyres	Firestone/Goodyear
Notable entrants	Scuderia Ferrari
Notable drivers	Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda Clay Regazzoni Jacky Ickx
Debut	1970 South African Grand Prix (312B) 1971 Monaco Grand Prix (312B2) 1973 Spanish Grand Prix (312B3)
Races competed	63 (all models) 19 (312B) 12 (312B2/B2-72) 27 (312B3)
Race victories	10 (all models) 5 (312B) 2 (312B2/B2-72) 3 (312B3)
Constructors' Championships	1 (1970)
Drivers' Championships	0
Pole positions
Fastest laps

The Ferrari 312B was a series of Formula One racing car models, designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari. It was the successor to the Ferrari 312 and was used from 1970 until 1974. Several versions were made: the 312B, 312B2 and 312B3.

The early 1970s saw the return of success to the Scuderia; the unlucky Chris Amon left, while Jacky Ickx returned and was joined by Clay Regazzoni. A Flat-12 engine, colloquially referred to as a "boxer", was developed for use in the new Ferrari 312B, giving a lower center of gravity.

During the design's first season, in 1970, Ickx battled with Lotus's Jochen Rindt and won 3 Grands Prix, while the emotional 1970 Italian Grand Prix was won by Clay Regazzoni, following the death Rindt in the week preceding the race. In the remaining races, Ickx could not pass Rindt's point score for the drivers title, but Ferrari won the Constructors Championship ahead of Lotus.

1971 started with a win by new signing Mario Andretti, followed by another GP win for Ickx. Ferrari ultimately came second in the Constructors Championship, as Jackie Stewart and Tyrrell dominated the season.

In 1972, Ferrari could not keep up with the progress of the competition, dropping to 4th at the end of the year. Ickx won the 1972 German Grand Prix at his favorite track, the Nürburgring, but this was to be his last GP win. The sports cars season was a success for Ferrari though, with the Ferrari 312PB based on the F1 car.

In 1973 the Ferrari 312B2 was no longer competitive, and Ickx only managed one 4th place, at opening GP of the season. In addition to the sports cars, which were beaten by the French Matra, the F1 program of the Italian team was outclassed, and they even skipped some F1 races, notably the Nürburgring. This was not acceptable to Ickx,^{[citation needed]} who left the team halfway through the season in order to contest the 1973 German Grand Prix at the 'Ring in a McLaren, where he took 3rd place behind the Tyrrells of Stewart and Francois Cevert.

After being impressed with their drives for BRM in 1973,^{[citation needed]} Ferrari signed Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni to rebuild the team in 1974. A new model, the 312 B3, based on a prototype called "snow plow"^{[citation needed]} was introduced.

The car was succeeded by the 312T which was introduced for the 1975 Formula One season.

[edit] References

• article about 312B
• Tremayne, David & Hughes, Mark (1998). "The Concise Encyclopedia Of Formula One, Paragon.

Ferrari Formula One cars v • d • e
40s		1950s										1960s										1970s
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		500		553 625	555 D50		801	412 246	256		156			158 1512		312				312 B					312 T
1980s										1990s										2000s
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
312 T	126 C				156/85	F1/86	F1/87		640	641	642/643	F92A	F93A	412T		F310/B		F300	F399	F1-2000	F2001	F2001 F2002	F2002B F2003-GA	F2004	F2004M F2005	248	F2007