However you look at it, motorsport is dangerous. The combination of speed and the risks that drivers take to win can add up to huge accidents. Fortunately, despite all of this motor racing very rarely ends in a serious accident. That wasn’t always the case though, and in the 1970s when the beautiful Ferrari 312T raced, on average two Formula 1 drivers a year were killed. This didn’t stop these cars being raced flat out in incredible battles on the world circuits, and some see this as the greatest years of F1.
Launched in 1975, the Ferrari 312T was hugely successful, winning 27 races, four constructors championships and three drivers. It was eventually replaced in 1980 by the 126C, the first turbo charged F1 car to wear the famous Ferrari badge. It was also the car that triple world champion Niki Lauda took round the legendary and challenging 14.4 mile full circuit in under 7 minutes. The length of the track was shortened afterwards due to safety concerns so he remains the only driver to have achieved this incredible feat. Lauda would win the 1975 F1 championship in this car and go on to have a season long battle with James Hunt that would go down in history as one of the greatest racing duels of all time.
Formula 1 Ferraris are always bright red, and the wheels are an eye catching gold. This doesn’t mean you can’t get creative and see what this amazing car would look like with some different colouring though. Have fun!
