"Never change a winning car." This must have been the philosophy of Ferrari engineers, led by Mauro Forghieri, when they decided to field the same car from the previous season in 1977. However, the Ferrari 312 T2 '77 still featured some important modifications, including a wider track, redesigned bodywork around the rear wheels, and resized side air intakes, still in the distinctive NACA shape. The most noticeable change was in the area covering the roll bar, which was now much more tapered and rounded.
FERRARI 312 T2 '77, Niki Lauda
Monza, Italian GP 1977
Throughout the season, numerous aerodynamic adjustments were made, particularly experimenting with different wing profiles both at the front and rear to optimize the performance of the Goodyear tires. In 1977, the American tire manufacturer introduced increasingly harder and more durable compounds to cope with the growing lateral forces exerted by the new generation of cars, particularly the ground-effect Lotus 78. Consequently, the 312 T2 struggled to bring its tires up to temperature, prompting slight revisions and weight reductions in the rear suspension. The engine, still the Type 015, a 2991.80 cc, flat-12 (180° V12), was also updated, now producing 512 horsepower. The cooling system was revised as well, with modified hot air vents on the sidepods. Notably, for the first time, the FIAT logo appeared on Ferrari’s F1 cars, marking the Italian automaker’s growing involvement as both a technical partner and a major shareholder in Ferrari.
FERRARI 312 T2 '77, Niki Lauda
Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1977
For the 1977 season, Ferrari retained Niki Lauda, but Swiss driver Clay Regazzoni left the team, making way for Argentine Carlos Reutemann, who had already been signed the previous season as Lauda’s replacement following his Nürburgring accident. This decision had strained relations between Lauda and Enzo Ferrari, as Lauda accused the team of prematurely seeking his replacement, effectively declaring his career over. In 1977, Lauda was less dominant but remarkably consistent. He won only three races but secured numerous podium finishes, allowing him to clinch the World Championship with two races to spare. Immediately after securing the Drivers' Title, Lauda left Ferrari, still deeply hurt by Ferrari’s decisions following his 1976 crash. Sources close to Maranello suggested that before leaving, Lauda challenged Il Commendatore Ferrari to see which of them would claim the next world title first.
FERRARI 312 T2 '77, Carlos Reutemann
Monza, Italian GP 1977
To replace the Austrian World Champion, Ferrari signed a promising but completely inexperienced driver, Gilles Villeneuve. In only his second race for Ferrari, at the Fuji circuit in Japan, the young Canadian was involved in a horrific crash that resulted in the deaths of two spectators who were standing in a prohibited area. Meanwhile, Carlos Reutemann, Ferrari’s second driver, contributed with one victory and three podium finishes, helping Ferrari secure the Constructors' Championship, the fifth in its history.
FERRARI 312 T2 '77, Gilles Villeneuve
Mosport, Canadian GP 1977
As had been tested by other teams in the early 1970s, Ferrari also experimented with a unique version of the 312 T2, designated Ferrari 312 T6. This variant featured twin rear wheels on each side instead of the usual large 520 mm tires on 13-inch rims. The goal was to reduce frontal area and lateral flexion of the traditional large rear tires. Both Lauda and Reutemann tested the 312 T6, but since its track width exceeded the regulatory limits, the car was never allowed in official races, and the project was ultimately abandoned.
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