Exoto presents a special Ferrari Gift Set in a Limited Edition of only 2500 sets worldwide. This special coffret includes a pair of winning Ferraris: the 1975 312T and 1979 312T4 with matching serial numbers.
Ferrari 312T: Winner, Grand Prix of Monaco driven by Niki Lauda
The new Ferrari 312T made its racing debut at the third race of the Grand Prix season at South Africa. This new F1 car featured a transversely mounted gearbox, hence the designation 312T, from the Italian, Trasversale.
By the time the Ferrari team arrived at Monaco in May, the gremlins had been sorted out and good things were anticipated. Niki Lauda was the fastest overall in practice and qualifying and, of course, on the pole.
When the race started, Lauda took the immediate lead on a wet track. He was followed very closely by Ronnie Peterson and Tom Pryce, and the three soon pulled away to a comfortable lead. From start to finish, Lauda would never relinquish his lead, even as the track dried out and the field switched to slick tires. By the time Lauda took the checkered flag he was 2.78 seconds ahead of second place, Emerson Fittipaldi. This was Ferraris first win at the historic Monaco circuit in 20 years, and it was Laudas first victory of the season.
Ferrari 312T4: Winner, Grand Prix of South Africa driven by Gilles VilleneuveThe 1979 season would be Villeneuve's best in Formula 1. The arrival of the new 312T4 in South Africa brought with it victory for Ferrari and the young Canadian!
Villeneuve qualified third behind his teammate Jody Scheckter. The Ferrari duo got to an excellent start, passing the pole-sitting Renault on either side into the first corner. Villeneuve took the lead, but a sudden downpour brought out the red flag and the three lap old race was stopped.
On the restart, Villeneuve's car was equipped with wet tires while Scheckter's was on slicks. The Ferrari drivers repeated their brilliant start. In the wet, Villeneuve drove away from the field, pulling out a 15 second lead over his teammate in second place. By lap 15 the storm had passed and as the track dried out Villeneuve stopped for slicks, handing the lead to Scheckter. On fresh rubber, however, Villeneuve attacked and closed the 30 second gap.
Though Villeneuve would not pass his teammate on the track, Scheckter's badly worn tires forced him into the pits and he rejoined the race in second place, 35 seconds behind Villeneuve. Villeneuve paced himself, conserving his tires, allowing Scheckter to close the gap to just 4 seconds before the checkered flag fell on Villeneuve's second F1 victory.
