Promissing 312 B3-74

Niki Lauda seems to wait patiently in his Ferrari 312B3-74 while his mechanics prepare his car, during practice for the 1974 US Grand Prix held at Watkins Glen. Lauda qualifies in fifth position, but retires on lap 38, with a broken suspension.

With its shorter wheel base, the 312B3-74 is a completely revised single-seater. Mauro Forghieri decides to abandon the aluminium chassis seen in 1973, for a more conventional one made of steel and aluminium, a known but slightly heavier solution. The car, so elegant, is still powered by the flat-12 Ferrari engine.

An intensive development program is scheduled before the beginning of the season, with an average of five hours on the Fiorano test track, every day! Ambitious, the Scuderia has two new drivers, Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, back after one season at BRM.

With ten pole positions and six fastest laps, the 312 B3-74 proves its speed, but still lacks reliability. Lauda and Regazzoni win three Grand Prix only, but the Scuderia finishes nevertheless second in the Constructors’ Championship.

Regazzoni (picture-below) battles till the last race for the Drivers’ title, that finally goes for 3 points only, to Emerson Fittipaldi and his McLaren, but the 312B3-74 has laid strong foundations for the future.