1971 Ferrari 312 B2

The Ferrari 312B was successor to the Ferrari 312 Formula 1 car and was used from 1970 until early 1975. The original 312B was developed into the 312B2 and 312B3. The Ferrari 312 B2 Formula 1 car was first raced in 1971. 

Rather than a further development of the 312 B, this was a practically new car with an engine with shorter stroke which allowed it to increase its power at higher revs. The nose cone was low and squareish, the flanks straight, and the rear wing attached to an appendage of the roll-bar. The rear suspension was also innovative with twin struts and spring/damper groups mounted above the gearbox and connected to the hub with thrust arms. The car was interesting enough but its performance was affected by other factors.

The B2 debuted only at the Monaco GP in 1971. Ferrari had chosen to continue with the older Ferrari 312B until the B2 was fully ready. For the 1972 season, the 312 B2 was again used by Ferrari in the F1 World Championship, and with drivers Jacky Ickx and Clay Regazzoni, the team finished 4th in the World Championship with one victory at the German Grand Prix held at the Nurburgring.

Ferrari said years later that “the car was interesting enough but its performance was affected by other factors”.

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