| Ferrari's winning streak came to an end in 1978, a season in which Lotus dominated the Championships. Former Ferrari driver Mario Andretti won the world title, but Giles Villeneuve became a familiar face at the front of the pack and showed just how talented he was with a win in Canada. His acrobatic driving style sometimes landed him off the track, but in 1978 he clearly demonstrated to all his speed and determination. Unfortunately, the Championship was hit by tragedy when Ronnie Peterson was killed in an accident at the start of the racing at Monza. |
| The 312 T3 continued the evolution of the T series with an engine with 12 horizontally opposed cylinders, which were continually updated and pumped up. At Ferrari the question of when to abandon the normally aspirated engine in favour of the turbo, as required by the rules, was also posed, but the changeover was put off. All efforts instead were poured into continuing the development of the car with the Michelin tyres plus new aerodynamics in the form of a very wide body that extended right to the mid-line of the rear wheels, and new cooling and fuel ducts. The 312 T3 was only used from the South African GP onwards i.e. the third race in the 1978 World Championships as the first two (the Argentinean and Brazilian GPs) were raced using a modified version of the 1977 312 T2. |
| Chassis: | Type 020, Monocoque, aluminium panels riveted to variable-section
light alloy structure and cast alloy supports |
| Front suspension: | Double wishbones, inboard spring/damper unit |
| Rear suspension: | Upper arm, lower wishbone and single central radius arm |
|
| Engine: | Type 015, 180° V12, water cooled |
| Materials: | Light alloy cylinder block and head |
| Capacity: | 2,992 cc (3.0 litres) |
| Maximum power: | 510 bhp @ 12,200 rpm |
| Timing gear: | 2 camshafts per cylinder bank, gear driven off rear of the engine |
| Valves: | 4 per cylinder |
| Bore & Stroke: | 82 x 69.5 mm |
| Transmission: | Rear-wheel drive, 5-speed + reverse |
|
| Overall length: | 4,250 mm |
| Width: | 2,130 mm |
| Height: | 1,010 mm |
| Wheelbase: | 2,560 mm |
| Track: | 1,620 mm (front), 1,585mm (rear) |
| Kerb weight: | 580 kg (including water and lubricants) |
| Tyres: | Michelin, 24/55 - 13² (front), 40/65 - 13² (rear) |
| Fuel tank: | 200 litres, 2 side and 1 central tanks |
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