Photo: Thesupermat · CC BY-SA 4.0
Raced1970–1975
EngineFlat-12 (180°)
Power460 PS
The Ferrari 312B was the Formula 1 successor to the 312 and competed starting in 1970. Under Mauro Forghieri, a new flat-twelve engine (Tipo 001) was created, colloquially referred to as a "Boxer" even though it is not one; it lowered the center of gravity and allowed air to flow cleanly beneath the rear wing. In its debut season, the 312B ended a long winless drought for the Scuderia: Jacky Ickx won three Grands Prix, and Clay Regazzoni won the Italian Grand Prix. Ickx finished second in the Drivers' Championship behind Jochen Rindt. Further developments were named 312B2 and 312B3.
Summarized from the sources cited below; every figure in the text was automatically verified against the sources.
Good to know
- Lotus driver Jochen Rindt was fatally injured during practice at Monza and became posthumous World Champion in 1970; the race was won by Clay Regazzoni in the 312B.
- The Italian press dubbed the radical B3 design with its angular bodywork and wide nose the "spazzaneve" (snowplow); it never started a Grand Prix.
- Jacky Ickx left Ferrari midway through the 1973 season and finished third at the German Grand Prix in a McLaren, using an older Cosworth V8 and the hardest tire compound.
- Ickx's final Grand Prix victory came at the Nürburgring in 1972.
Learn moreA fresh start in 1970 · B2 and the struggle to keep pace · B3 and the turning point
A fresh start in 1970
In 1969, Fiat took a stake in Ferrari and established new structures; financial security brought calm to the racing team. The 312B received an entirely new chassis and a new engine: a 180° twelve-cylinder with 2991 cm³ and 460 PS. It was mounted in a rearward extension of the chassis made of light-alloy sheets and tubing. Although the car was competitive from the outset, results only began to materialize by mid-season: Ickx won in Austria, Canada, and Mexico.
B2 and the struggle to keep pace
1971 began with a victory by new driver Mario Andretti in South Africa, followed by the B2, which did not debut until the third round in Monaco. It suffered from handling problems; for 1972, Ferrari fielded a revised B2 with a more conventional rear suspension, but finished only fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Forghieri also tested a front end closely resembling that of the Tyrrell 003, but it rendered the cars uncompetitive and was abandoned.
B3 and the turning point
For 1973, Fiat installed a new technical team, Forghieri was moved to the experimental department, and Sandro Colombo took over. The new B3 featured a full monocoque made by the British company TC Prototypes, with the engine acting as a stressed member. It debuted in Spain but was slow and unreliable; Ferrari did not even enter all Grands Prix, skipping events such as the Nürburgring. In the summer, Forghieri was brought back as technical director. In 1974, the heavily revised B3-74 competed with Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, both arriving from BRM.
Summarized from the cited sources; every figure was automatically verified against the sources.
Frequently asked questions about the Ferrari 312B
When was the Ferrari 312B raced?
The Ferrari 312B was raced from 1970 to 1975.
How much power does the Ferrari 312B have?
Power of the Ferrari 312B: 460 PS (312B from 1970).
What engine does the Ferrari 312B have?
Engine of the Ferrari 312B: 2992 cm³ 180° V12 naturally aspirated Ferrari Tipo 001. It sits behind the seats as a mid-engine.
Who engineered the Ferrari 312B?
Engineering of the Ferrari 312B: Mauro Forghieri.
Who drove the Ferrari 312B?
Drivers of the Ferrari 312B: Mario Andretti, Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, Jacky Ickx.
What are the predecessor and successor of the Ferrari 312B?
Predecessor: 312. Successor: 312T.
Enjoying the site? How to support it.
1971
1973