Ferrari 312B

From WOI Encyclopedia Italia

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,Template:Fact who left the team halfway through the season in order to contest the [[1973 German GP 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,Template:Fact 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"Template:Fact was introduced.

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

Ferrari Formula One cars
40s 1950s 1960s 1970s
89 01234 56789 01234 56789 01234 56789
125 275
340
375
500 553
625
555
D50
801 412
246
256 156 158
1512
312 312 B 312 T
1980s 1990s 2000s
01234 56789 01234 56789 01234 56789
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


Scuderia Ferrari
Personnel:
Current drivers:
Notable Former drivers:
125 | 275 | 340 | 375 | 500 | 553 | 625 | 555 | D50 | 801 | 412 | 246 | 256 | 156 | 158 | 1512 | 312 | 312B | 312T | 126C | 156/85 | F1/86 | F1/87 | 640 | 641 | 642 | 643 | F92A | F93A | 412T | F310 | F310B | F300 | F399 | F1-2000 | F2001 | F2002 | F2002B | F2003-GA | F2004 | F2004M | F2005 | 248 | F2007 | F2008