Ferrari 312-T5 Formula 1 |
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The Car:
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In the 1979 Formula
One championship series, Ferrari won the constructors' championship,
and drivers Jody Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve finished first
and second in the drivers' championship, both driving the Ferrari
312T4, powered by a normally-aspirated flat 12-cylinder engine.
In 1977, constructors had began to experiment with the more powerful
four- and six-cylinder turbocharged engines. Although the championship
was won by a normally-aspirated Ford Cosworth V8 engine in 1980,
1981, and 1982, the four-cylinder turbocharged Brabham-BMW of Nelson
Piquet , winning the championship in 1983, was the start of a sweep
by the turbocharged competitors that would continue until they were
banned at the end of 1988. |
In 1980, Gilles Villeneuve
was driving car number 2, the Ferrari 312T5. This ground-effects
chassis was hampered by the flat-12 cylinder engine, which was
never adequately developed. Ferrari had already shifted their
development efforts to the new turbo-charged engine and car for
1981. Despite the struggle with the T5, the irrepressible Villeneuve
was a joy to watch as he willed the uncompetitive car to the front
with supreme skill and passion.
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Although Canadian Gilles
Villeneuve never won the Formula One championship, he became a favorite
with fans as he exhibited daring, charm, supreme driving talent,
and a powerfully competitive spirit. Ultimately, this led to Villeneuve's
death in 1982 while trying to improve his grid position late in
qualifying for the Dutch GP at Zolder. |
"I don't have any fear
of a crash. No fear of that. Of course, on a fifth gear corner
with a fence outside, I don't want to crash. I'm not crazy. But
if it's near the end of practice, and you're trying for pole position
maybe, I guess you can squeeze the fear ..."
- Gilles Villeneuve
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Configuration: |
Type 015, rear-mounted 180° V12,
light alloy cylinder block and head, aluminium wet liners, 112 mm connecting rods, water cooled |
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Capacity: |
2,991 cc
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Fuel induction: |
Lucas indirect injection with electronic fuel flow adjustment
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Bore & Stroke: |
80 x 49.6 mm |
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Engine Power: |
515 bhp @ 12,300 rpm
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Compression Ratio: |
11.5:1 |
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Transmission: |
Rear-wheel drive, multi-plate clutch, 022 5- or 6-speed gearbox + reverse,
transverse in unit with limited-slip differential
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Chassis: |
Type 023, monocoque, aluminium panels riveted to
variable-section light alloy structure and cast alloy supports |
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Suspension: |
Front wheel: Double wishbones, inboard spring/dampers units
Rear wheel: Upper arm, lower wishbone and single central radius arm |
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Brakes: |
Brembo ventilated cast iron discs, Lockheed callipers |
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Steering: |
Rack and pinion |
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Kerb Weight (with water and oil): |
595 kg |
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