The T3 was an evolution of the earlier T2, it now featured a new chassis with a new monocoque structure and revised suspension. The suspension changes had been made to suit the switch from Goodyear tyres to the Michelin radials, and the rear bodywork changes had largely been to flatten it out and allow more air to pass over the rear wing – further increasing downforce.
Ferrari introduced the 312T3 for Villeneuve and Reutemann in time for the third race of the 1978 Formula One season. A huge amount of development work and track testing had gone into the new model, but the Ferrari engineers could never have known that 1978 would be the year that Lotus would introduce the Lotus 79. Despite this Italian team still managed 5 wins over the course of the season – 4 for Reutemann, and 1 for the then-new F1 driver Villeneuve, and at his home Grand Prix in Canada. Ferrari would finish 2nd in the Constructors Championship.
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