Jody Scheckter's 1979 Ferrari 312 T4
1979 Ferrari 312 T4 Ex Jody Scheckter
Enzo Ferrari’s last Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship-winning car before his death.
The winner of all three of Scheckter’s victories in 1979—Belgian, Monaco, and Italian Grands Prix.
The 1979 Formula 1 Drivers’ and Constructors’ championship-winning chassis when it took at the checkered flag at Monza.
One of Mauro Foghieri’s greatest designs—Ferrari’s first full ground-effect Grand Prix car, powered by a stunning 3-litre flat-12 engine.
Becoming a Champion
After two seasons with Walter Wolf Racing, Scheckter secured a seat at perennial front-runners Ferrari for 1979, and with it a drive in the Scuderia’s new ground-effect 312 T4. The car finally made its debut in South Africa following two lackluster opening rounds in the outgoing 312 T3. It immediately made its mark, delivering a 1-2 victory for Ferrari at both Kyalami and Long Beach. Hugely capable and uncommonly reliable, the 312 T4 suffered just one mechanical failure in the whole season and allowed Scheckter and Gilles Villeneuve to remain fiercely competitive throughout.
Scheckter’s season reached its climax at the 1979 Italian Grand Prix at Monza. After initially leading, he was overtaken by the turbocharged Renault of René Arnoux. However, on the 13th lap, Arnoux's stuttering engine allowed Scheckter to regain the lead. Despite challenges faced by the chasing pack, the Ferrari maintained its 100 percent reliability record up to that point, carrying the South African to a famous win. Not only did he win the grand prix, but he also secured the Drivers’ Championship title, while Villeneuve’s 2nd place finish contributed to the team's Constructors’ Championship victory.
The Scuderia wouldn’t win another Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship for more than 20 years, and Scheckter would never again reach such heights, retiring from the top-flight of motorsport at the end of the following season.
This Ferrari has only been driven by Jody Scheckter—raced in nine races during 1979, and only driven by him since, including at the 2019 Monza Grand Prix weekend.
Photography by Tom Wood ©2023 Courtesy of RM Sotheby's
