The story of the Tyrrell 008 intertwines with that of one of the most iconic single-seaters of the 1978 season: the Brabham BT46B. After the revolutionary experience of the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34, the British team decided to return to a more conventional configuration and began designing the 008 as early as mid-1977.
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| TYRRELL 008, Didier Pironi Zandvoort, Dutch GP 1978 |
The concept originated from Maurice Philippe, who drew inspiration from the Chaparral 2J, a standout in the 1970 Can-Am Championship, renowned for its innovative use of aerodynamic technology. The primary innovation of the 008 lay in the placement of the radiators in the lower part of the car, a choice that was expected to revolutionize the vehicle's aerodynamics. To improve cooling and create a low-pressure area under the car, the design included a rear-mounted fan.
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| TYRRELL 008, Patrick Depailler Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1978 |
Although this concept was less sophisticated than the solution adopted by Gordon Murray for the Brabham BT46B, it was intended to enhance stability and aerodynamic efficiency. However, the system proved problematic: the car suffered from chronic overheating issues during testing, and the idea was quickly abandoned. Among the Tyrrell team members was David Cox, who later became Murray’s assistant at Brabham and contributed to the development of the BT46B, refining the "fan car" concept.
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| TYRRELL 008, Patrick Depailler Hockenheimring, German GP 1978 |
With the failure of the innovative cooling system, the 008 was adapted to a more traditional configuration, with radiators relocated to the long, slender sidepods. The car featured a narrow nose flanked by two winglets, angled in reverse to the direction of travel, while the front suspension was fully faired. The engine cover enclosed the classic Ford Cosworth DFV V8, paired with a Hewland FGA 400 gearbox. The car had a wheelbase of 2700 mm, weighed 590 kg, and its chassis was derived directly from the P34, with a revised front end to accommodate a single axle.
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| TYRRELL 008, Patrick Depailler Montecarlo, Monaco GP 1978 |
Despite the simplicity of its design, the Tyrrell 008 proved competitive, though it struggled with reliability, recording 14 retirements in 32 starts. The team fielded two French drivers: Patrick Depailler, already confirmed, and the young talent Didier Pironi. Throughout the 1978 season, the duo amassed a total of 38 points, allowing Tyrrell to finish fourth in the Constructors' Championship. Depailler placed fifth in the Drivers' Championship, bolstered by a prestigious victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, along with a second-place finish in Austria and podiums at Long Beach and in Argentina.
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