Ferrari 312T Scuderia Ferrari Team sponsored by Agip - Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix 1975
Car scale model kit in 1/43 scale manufactured by Tameo Kits (ref. WCT075)

When it came to powering the Ferrari 312T, Ferrari continued to rely on the 3L flat-six engine, just as it had done with the 312B. A configuration rarely used in F1, but very powerful, it was the first F1 engine to exceed 500 hp. Given the handling problems experienced by the latest version of the 312B3, the engineer in charge of the project, Mauro Forghieri, opted to follow a new line of development, seeking better weight distribution (more centred) to have a lower centre of inertia. With this, the car would be much more agile and manageable.

The chassis of the Ferrari 312T was tubular with aluminium reinforcement panels to maintain high rigidity without being heavy. In terms of suspension, the front double-arm system mounted the two spring-shock absorbers forward of the pedals, in addition to being attached to the chassis to better distribute the weight and improve driver protection. Meanwhile, the rear suspension was based on a lower, inverted system with arms of unequal length and better control of camber angle variations. The location of the water and oil radiators was also based on the search for adequate weight distribution. The former were positioned at 90° to the chassis axis, and the latter were located just in front of the rear tires. But perhaps the most innovative element was the 5-speed transverse gearbox, from which the "T" in the car's name comes. The gearbox was designed so that most of its weight was located forward of the car's rear axle, and to this end, the input shaft was rotated approximately 90° using bevel gears so that its axles were positioned laterally.

In total, there were 5 versions of the Ferrari 312T, plus a sixth experimental 6-wheel version (312T6) designed after the release of the legendary Tyrrell P34. This 6-wheel version never raced in any official races.

Niki Lauda was the key driver in the development of the Ferrari 312T, as he completed an intensive pre-season tuning program on the car at the newly opened Fiorano private circuit. Despite this, the 312T did not make its debut until the third round of the season held in South Africa. This debut was not without problems, as Lauda suffered engine problems (although he managed to finish 5th) while Clay Regazzoni was far from the points. The following race, held in Spain, was even worse, as both cars had to retire.

But from that moment on, everything changed, with Lauda taking 4 wins plus a 2nd and a 3rd. Thus, the home race at Monza, the penultimate round of the season, brought both Ferrari and Lauda a chance to win their respective titles. And so it was. Regazzoni took the victory, while Lauda finished third. With these results, the Austrian won his first World Championship and Ferrari once again won the Constructors' Championship. And to finish the year on a high, Lauda won the final round of the season held at Watkins Glen (USA). The Ferrari 312T would continue to be used throughout the early part of the 1976 season, also achieving three victories in the first three Grands Prix, with two wins for Lauda and one for Regazzoni. It was at the fourth round of the year, held in Spain, that the 312T2 was debuted.

In total, the Ferrari 312T and its various evolutions achieved a total of 27 victories, 61 podiums, 19 pole positions, 25 fastest laps, 4 Constructors' Championships, and 3 Drivers' Championships. A true legend of Formula 1, and one of the Scuderia's most successful models.