For the Scuderia Ferrari, the 1981 season was a bit disappointing. Changes were needed. Enzo Ferrari had every confidence in the engine department; they would be able to construct a turbocharged engine. But they had no good chassis technology. So he recruited designer Harvey Postlethwaite, former employed at Hesketh, Wolf and Fittipaldi. He got ‘carte blanche’ to make a new 126 chassis.
In 1982 he came up with the Ferrari 126C2, which closely resembled the Wolf WR7. The car made his debut in the 1982 South African GP and was world Champion in the Constructors. (more to read is possible here)
For the 1983 season, the FISA took the unilateral decision to ban ‘ground-effect’ by inducing a flat under-body within the wheelbase. Ferrari adapted the C2 for the start of the season, while Postlethwaite would design a whole new car. The C2B came to the first race with enormous rear aerofoils, the sides of which reached forward to mountings on the rear of the sidepods housing the water radiators and turbocharged intercoolers. Rene Arnoux finished third in Brazil and in San Marino. Patrick Tambay won that race. He drove also a good race at Spa, finishing second behind winner Prost. These results appeared not enough for Enzo Ferrari; his seat would be taken by Michele Alboreto for 1984. Especially when Arnoux also won the Canadian GP, his Ferrari life would end.
The new 126 C3 came into action in the British GP. The car was a Ferrari built carbon-fibre monocoque completely constructed in Maranello. The nose cone, cockpit surround and fuel cell were constructed a one unit. It was a highly innovative looking arrow-shaped car with a narrow nose cone and side pods that began just behind the driver and had completely new internal air flows with air expelled through the radiators on the flanks. Even the front suspension wishbones were slimmer and there were also various aerodynamic details on the two main wings. The heart of the car was still the 120 degree V6 engine.
Immediately Arnoux and Tambay were on the front row. Tambay took the lead at the start and that stayed for 19 laps. But team boss Mauro Forghieri had taken the decision to run smaller rear wings. That reduced downforce and grip, so the Ferrari faded to third and fifth.
But Arnoux won the German GP and it became clear that the Ferrari team was matching his rivals in the art of pit stops for fuel and tyres.
Following his engine failure in Hockenheim, Tambay dominated the Austrian GP. But again his engine failed and Arnoux finished second. Arnoux continued to win the Dutch GP. Monza was also favourable to Arnoux ( second behind Piquet). However, he lost his championship chances with a stupid spin at Brands Hatch (GP Europe).
In the final GP and final outing for Patrick Tambay, he put the C3 on pole-position. But no Ferrari at the finish line.
Thanks to the combined effort of the two French drivers, Ferrari won his successive World Championship for constructors. Renault finished second with Brabham third.
Publication: 24/09/2025Back to overview
