Enzo Ferrari was heard to say that 1974 came a year late. The 312B3 had been so close to winning the Championship that the 'Old Man' could taste it. At the end of 1974 the factory presented the 312T, a brand new car to challenge the 1975 Formula One season.
 
By the time the 312T debuted at Kyalami, South Africa, it was the most eagerly awaited Formula One car since the Lotus 72 five years earlier. What set the 312T apart from the 312B3 was the very compact transverse-mounted gearbox positioned ahead of the rear axle and immediately behind the exceptionally reliable, compact and powerful boxer engine.
 
The combination of a compact rear end, redesigned suspension and powerful motor resulted in extremely high limits. Those who watched the 1975 season unfold will recall Lauda demonstrate a remarkably precise driving style way that would not have been possible in a lesser car.
 

 
The technological advances made on the 312T would carry Ferrari through the most exciting and successful period of Formula One competition for the Scuderia. The 312T would evolve into the 312T2, T3, T4 and finally the T5. Although they didn't know it at the time, 1975 would be the first of a Championship hat-trick for Ferrari: 1975-76-77, and yet another Constructors Championship in 1979. Forza Ferrari!