A Formula 1 car in disguise
Jacky Ickx and Brian Redman (picture above, with team manager, and former driver Peter Schetty), won the 1000 km of the Nürburgring 1973, round 7 of the World Championship of Makes, in their works Ferrari 312 PB. Matra, with two cars entered, was the clear favourite, and French F1 star François Cevert (with Jean-Pierre Beltoise), duly took pole position. Nevertheless, early in the race, both Matra 670B’s had to retire, with engine problems. Ferrari thus scored a perfect 1-2.
The Ferrari 312 PB, a sports-prototype, was introduced in 1971. Designed by Mauro Forghieri, it had an aluminium monocoque with a steel space-frame and was powered by a 3-litre, flat-12 engine. In fact, it was a Formula One car in disguise. In 1972, with only Alfa Romeo answering the challenge, it was very successful and won all the races it which it entered. Ferrari skipped Le Mans, though, as the F1-based engine had not lasted 24 Hours in testing, and would surely spoil their otherwise perfect record. Victory went to Matra.
The 1973 World Championship of Makes was then hard-fought, Matra won 5 races (including Le Mans) and took the crown, against strong competition from Ferrari, with two victories.
Picture below: François Cevert (Matra 670B), leads Ickx (Ferrari 312PB), Henri Pescarolo (Matra 670B) and Arturo Merzario (Ferrari 312 PB), at the start of the 1973 Nürburgring 1000 km.
