Ferrari 312T2 car-by-car histories

Niki Lauda in his Ferrari 312T2 at the 1976 Italian Grand Prix. Copyright GP Library Limited (licenced by Alamy) 2024. Used with permission.

Retaining the flat-12 engine and transverse gearbox of the Ferrari 312T, the 1976 Ferrari 312T2 won another constructors title for Ferrari and nearly secured a second drivers‘ title for Niki Lauda after his heroic return from a near-fatal accident.

After the success of the 1975 Ferrari 312T, the 1976 312T2 was expected to be an simple evolution, but the new car was a significant change. Mauro Forghieri’s new design was smaller than its predecessor, with smaller front and rear track. To replace the tall airbox, banned by 1976 regulations, two ducts drew air from the front of the cockpit through to the engine trumpets. The front suspension was the same as in 1975, but the car was launched with a De Dion rear suspension designed by Forghieri. The car was well tested before its GP debut at the Spanish GP, and the De Dion suspension was replaced with a conventional setup. The driving lineup of World Champion Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni were retained for a third season.

After finishing second to James Hunt’s McLaren M23 in Spain, Lauda won the Belgian and Monaco Grands Prix to establish a huge championship lead. Then the season started to tip in McLaren’s favour, at least until Hunt was disqualified from the British GP, handing Lauda another victory. At the German GP, Lauda crashed and was severely burnt. Astonishingly, he returned to racing after missing only two races but two wins for Hunt in North America meant the title would be decided at the final race in Japan. Lauda decided it was not safe to race in the torrential rain at Fuji, and sacrificed the title to his rival.

The 312T2 remained in use in 1977, and with the car now fully sorted, Lauda won three Grands Prix and took his second World Championship. Carlos Reutemann replaced Regazzoni in the second car and won the Brazilian GP. Lauda left the team a couple of races before the end of the season and was replaced by young Formula Atlantic star Gilles Villeneuve. The car were again used at the start of the 1978 season before the 312T3s were ready, when Reutemann again won the Brazilian GP

Of the seven Ferrari 312T2s built, five survived and all were sold to favoured private collectors. Only one of them, Chris MacAllister's 312T2/026 has appeared regularly in historic racing. Other cars are exhibited from time to time, but their owners' names are rarely revealed. Tracking their ownership history is not simple, so any information, even if supplied in confidence, would be most helpful.

These histories last updated on 24 Jul 2023.