Ferrari 312 T2 '76

   The evolution of the winning 312 T model is the Ferrari 312 T2, a car completely designed by Mauro Forghieri, who returned to using Ferrari's classic steel tube chassis covered with riveted aluminum panels, abandoning the previous monocoque chassis that had been built in England and designed by Sandro Colombo. The new single-seater from the Maranello-based Scuderia was unveiled at Fiorano, on Ferrari’s private track. Compared to the 312 T from the previous season, the bodywork was modified to give it smoother and more rounded shapes, particularly in the area covering the roll bar, which was now devoid of the fin that previously acted as an airscope.

FERRARI 312 T2 '76, Niki Lauda
Nürburgring, German GP 1976

   Apart from the chassis, there were no mechanical innovations, although an initial attempt was made to use a new De Dion bridge-type rear suspension, a system widely used on rear-wheel-drive cars because it provides a highly favorable dynamic response and excellent road holding. However, after several tests, the team decided to revert to the classic double-wishbone suspension used on the 312 T. Given the optimal weight distribution achieved with the 1975 car, the placement of the radiators and fuel tank remained unchanged, as did the engine, which was still the Tipo 15, a 2991.80cc flat-12 (boxer) with a 180° V-angle, paired with Ferrari’s own five-speed transverse gearbox.

FERRARI 312 T2 '76, Clay Regazzoni
Jarama, Spanish GP 1976

   The single-seater made its debut at the 1976 Spanish Grand Prix, coinciding with the implementation of new regulations that limited the height of cars, thereby banning the massive air scoops that had become widespread in the 1970s. The need to find a new way to channel air to the engine led to the creation of two large NACA-style air intakes in front of the cockpit, an aeronautical-inspired design that was unique in Formula 1 and would characterize subsequent versions of the 312 T series.

FERRARI 312 T2 '76, Niki Lauda
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1976

   A total of four Ferrari T2 ’76 units were built and used by Niki Lauda, Clay Regazzoni, and Carlos Reutemann, with the Argentine driver temporarily replacing Lauda at the end of the season. The Ferrari 312 T2 was also the car in which the Austrian champion suffered his infamous crash at the Nürburgring, forcing him to miss the next two Grands Prix and race the final four rounds of the season while still severely injured.

FERRARI 312 T2 '76, Niki Lauda
Brands Hatch, British GP 1976

   Despite everything, following an outstanding early-season performance (three victories with the 312 T and three wins plus two podiums with the T2), Lauda lost the championship by just one point in the final race at Fuji, which was held under torrential rain. James Hunt secured the title with a narrow one-point advantage over the Ferrari driver. In the 1976 season, the Ferrari 312 T2 secured three wins, all with Lauda, along with four second-place finishes and two third-place finishes. This allowed Scuderia Ferrari to claim its fourth Constructors’ Championship with 83 points, ahead of McLaren with 74 and Tyrrell with 71, which finished second and third, respectively.