312T 's 312T on display. The development of the 312T began in 1974, as it became apparent that problems with the handling of the then current
312B3 chassis could not be solved, and a radical re-think was required. As with all Ferrari F1 cars of this era, the design of the new model was led by
Mauro Forghieri – the capable Italian engineer designed an all-new chassis and bodywork, and redesigned both the engine and the gearbox. The car was constructed with aluminium panels over a tubular steel spaceframe, as was typical in F1 at the time, but featured a large number of new design features, the most interesting of which was the transverse-mounted gearbox – the T in the car's name stood for
Trasversale. The gearbox design allowed it to be positioned ahead of the rear axle, in order to give a low polar moment of inertia. The suspension was also significantly different from that of the 312B3, and the front of the chassis was much narrower. The handling of the car was found to be inherently neutral, not suffering from the persistent
understeer which blighted the 312B3.
Niki Lauda tested the car extensively during the off season, ready for a full-on championship challenge. The first 312T was completed in the autumn of 1974, and unveiled to the press in Modena after the end of the 1974 season. However, the team used the old 312B3 at the first two races of the 1975 season, and it was not until the
South African Grand Prix the 312T received its race debut. The car's performance at its debut race was disappointing, with
Clay Regazzoni's car being set up incorrectly, and
Niki Lauda's suffering from a lack of power. A subsequent test of Lauda's engine proved that there was a technical problem. The car's final world championship race was at the
1976 United States Grand Prix West.
312T2 (1939–2006) in a 312T2 in 1976 at the
Nürburgring The
312T2 was launched at Fiorano and featured a number of modifications over the 312T. In order to comply with the revised aerodynamic rules, the car no longer featured an airbox behind the cockpit. Instead
"NACA shaped" air intakes were incorporated into the cockpit sides, feeding air into each cylinder bank of the flat 12 engine. At 2560mm, the wheelbase was 42mm longer than that of the 312T. At the time of launch, the car also featured some notable mechanical modifications, including a
de Dion rear suspension arrangement, although this was abandoned after extensive testing, in favour of a more conventional suspension set up. and again at the
2019 Italian Grand Prix to commemorate the fortieth anniversary of his title triumph there, and then sold it at auction in 2024.
312T5 's 312T5. The
1980 season saw further aerodynamic progress by
Cosworth DFV teams, and a heavily updated version of the 312T4, the
312T5 was introduced at the start of the season. The Ferrari was totally outclassed as their wide 312 "Boxer" engine did not suit the aerodynamic needs. The car was unreliable, slow, and ineffective against the competition. The other constructors' cars got better throughout the season whereas the 312T5's development went virtually nowhere – the car became less and less competitive over the season. For the first time since
1973, Ferrari did not win a race for an entire season, and the team finished 10th in the Constructors' Championship. Scheckter even failed to qualify in Canada and, after only managing 2 points, retired from the sport at the end of the year. The 312T5's best qualifying result came courtesy of Villeneuve being the third fastest qualifier for the
Brazilian Grand Prix. The 312T5's best results were three fifth-place finishes, one for Scheckter at
Long Beach and the two others for Villeneuve at
Monaco and also at
his home race in Canada. The 312T5 was succeeded by a completely new car, the
126CK, for the
1981 season.
312T6 The six-wheeled 312T6 used four tyres at the rear, specially developed for the purpose. It was one of a few six-wheeled designs during that period, although Tyrrell's
P34 was the only example which raced. The car followed in the footsteps of the Tyrrell P34, but instead of four smaller front wheels, the T6 used 4 normal sized rear wheels on one rear axle. The car was tested by both Niki Lauda and Carlos Reutemann in 1977, but it never raced. Quite apart from the fact that it was far wider than the regulations permitted it also proved a challenge to drive. During one test session at Ferrari's Fiorano test track, Carlos Reutemann, on the 12th lap, crashed the car, which then burst into flames. On another occasion, it suffered a rear upright failure. Reutemann was not impressed with the 312T6.
312T8 Following the 312T6 experiment articles appeared in the Italian press with pictures and illustrations depicting a secret eight-wheeled Ferrari Formula 1 car, dubbed the
312T8. They showed four wheels at the front, like the Tyrrell P34, and another four at the rear, like the
March 2-4-0. The idea was evidently crazy and no such car ever materialised. Many years later, these pictures were revealed to be a mock up, released by Ferrari itself (although not officially) to keep attention high. ==Technical data==