Ferrari 412 MI

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Ferrari 412 MI
De Dion axle, twin radius arms, transverse leaf spring, hydraulic shock absorbers
Axle trackF: 1,296 mm (51.0 in)
R: 1,310 mm (51.6 in)
Wheelbase2,300 mm (90.6 in)
EngineJano Tipo 141 4,023.32 cc (245.5 cu in) 60° V12 naturally-aspirated front-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission3-speed manual transmission
TyresF: 6.70 x 16
R: 8.00 x 18
Firestone
Competition history
Notable entrantsScuderia Ferrari
Notable driversItaly Luigi Musso
United Kingdom Mike Hawthorn
United States Phil Hill
Debut1958 Race of Two Worlds
EntriesRacesWinsPodiumsPoles
11011

The Ferrari 412 MI was a single-seater produced by Italian manufacturer

500 Miles of Monza to compete against American race cars. The 412 MI scored a pole position and finished the race on a third place, which was the best European-entry result. As per naming convention "412" stood for 4-litre, 12-cylinder engine. The "MI" suffix stood for "Monza-Indianapolis".[1][4]

Development

At the

Autodromo Nazionale Monza in 1958, the second race between European single seaters and sports cars and the American purpose-built racers was held. The track was prepared in 1955 in the Indianapolis oval circuit style with banked curves. The race was divided into 3 267 km (165.9 mi) legs, for a total of 804.7 km (500 mi). It was the fastest race at that time with a highest speeds recorded at 284 km/h (176.5 mph), compared to a record of 235.0 km/h (146 mph) at the 1958 Indianapolis 500. Ferrari entered three cars in this race to Indycar regulations.[1][2][4]

The 412 MI was the most powerful Ferrari entry in the Race of Two Worlds. The car combined an older 375 F1-sourced chassis with new bodywork and a modified 4.0-litre V12 engine from the 335 S sports car.[5] High capacity engines were superfluous in light of the 3-litre cap regulations instilled for the 1958 season. Ferrari chose to use the same Firestone tyres as American teams, rather than the Belgian Englebert tyre supplier the company had used at that time. This decision was due to the fear that they were not suitable for a high-speed track and might throw threads.[2][4]

The Ferrari 412 MI prepared for this race was to be driven by Luigi Musso and Mike Hawthorn duo.[6]

Specifications

Engine and transmission

The 412 MI had a 60°

Weber 42DCN carburettors, slightly smaller than the 335 S had. A dry-sump lubrication system was standard on all Jano V12s.[1][2] Racing transmission was a three-speed only.[3]

Chassis and suspension

The tubular steel

De Dion axle with twin radius arms, transverse leaf spring and hydraulic shock absorbers. Anti-roll bars were installed as they were not originally present on the 1950-made 375 F1 chassis. Brakes were of a drum type and the fuel tank had a capacity of 204 litres.[1][2]

Mike Hawthorn during practice.

Racing

Initially

Kuzma-Offy racer. But since the qualifying was determined by an average speed of three laps, and Musso was able to improve on his previous performance and recorded an average speed of 280.8 km/h (174.5 mph) to earn pole position for the race.[6][4]

Heat one began with a rolling start of eighteen cars, as Fangio withdrew early with a cracked piston. Musso traded off the lead position with

Jim Rathmann took the lead from the Sachs, the latter retired with a broken connecting rod. This allowed Musso to jump to a second place, but after a methanol fumes inhalation, he dropped back a couple of places and had to be relieved by Hawthorn on lap 27. Hawthorn gave the car back to Musso on the last lap of the first heat and Musso had secured sixth place and 60 laps.[7][8]

During heat two of the race, Musso was once again among the top drivers. After only nineteen laps he had to be replaced by Phil Hill whose Ferrari 326 MI #14 had retired with a broken magneto in the first heat. Hill drove the car till the end of the heat, managed to secure another 60 laps but dropped to ninth place.[9][10]

Heat three was started by Mike Hawthorn in the 412 MI, in place of Luigi Musso. After 24 laps Hawthorn succumbed to methanol fumes as Musso in heat one and had to be relieved by Phil Hill. Hill brought the team up to the third place. He gave the car back to Hawthorn, who secured yet another 60 laps and finished the race for third overall for Ferrari.[11][6]

Because of the very high speeds and safety issues, the Race of Two Worlds for the 1959 season was cancelled and had never returned. Ferrari, unlike Maserati, did not pursue this form of racing and did not participate in the 1959 Indianapolis 500 race.[2]

See also

Other Race of Two Worlds race cars:

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Ferrari 412 MI". formula1.ferrari.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Acerbi, Leonardo (2012). Ferrari: All The Cars. Haynes Publishing. pp. 122–123.
  3. ^ a b "Specification 412 MI". ferrari-collection.net. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d Laban, Brian (2005). The Ultimate History of Ferrari. Parragon. pp. 162–163.
  5. ISBN 0-7603-0735-0
    .
  6. ^ a b c Eaton, Godfrey (1983). Ferrari: The Road And Racing Cars. Haynes Publishing. pp. 90–92.
  7. ^ "1958 500 Miglia di Monza Heat 1". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  8. ^ "The Beast". forza-mag.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  9. ^ "1958 500 Miglia di Monza Heat 2". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Monzanapolis: Race of Two Worlds, Reviewed". velocetoday.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.
  11. ^ "1958 500 Miglia di Monza Heat 3". champcarstats.com. Retrieved 13 October 2019.

Bibliography

External links

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