The COAT - Round One - Tyrell P34 vs Ferrari 156 F1

[crmalcolm]

For the thirteenth match in Round One, we have a '70s special up against the car involved in one of F1's most tragic days. The Tyrell P34 vs the Ferrari 156 F1.

Tyrell P34 (bleacherreport.com):
If the Alfa [158/159] was the first of its kind with regard to dominant F1 cars, the Tyrell takes the crown as the first of the short-lived six-wheelers.

Unlike some other variants that would appear through the years, the Tyrell kept its two, huge rear tyres as normal but replaced the regular fronts with four smaller ones.

The theory here was that these would increase the total contact patch at the front of the cars, thereby increasing grip, as well as reducing the lift created by standard front wheels.

It proved initially successful with drivers Jody Scheckter and Patrick Depailler recording a one-two finish at the 1976 Swedish, but the 1977 car struggled and the concept was dropped for '78.

Nevertheless, the car has a special place in the pantheon of historic race cars.

Ferrari 156 F1 (bleacherreport.com):
The "sharknose" (so called because of the distinctive double "nostrils" of the front air intakes) benefited from the change in engine regulations which changed the displacement limit of 2.5 litre to 1.5 litre. Ferrari and its state-of-the-art V6 engine produced a dominant car, beaten only twice in the season, and Phil Hill used it to become the first American F1 champion.

That the engine was named after Enzo Ferrari's late son Dino and that championship leader Wolfgang von Trips had a fatal accident in the car at Monza are sad but poignant facts. Unfortunately, death was an all too common part of F1 in the early 1960s.

The sharknose front was eventually replaced on the 156, but it is this configuration that lives in the memory. A stunning car that epitomises Ferrari and F1.

[Adam43]

Now that’s a difficult choice. I so want to vote for the six wheeler, but shark nose.

[Aysedasi]

Very difficult, I love both cars, but the emotional effect gets this one the sharknose is just one of the most gorgeous cars ever.....

[Gerard C]

Puzzled here, impossible choice. Cornelien!

[Gerard C]

Assuming its Tyrrell my vote is for the P34.

[S griffin]

The Sharknose Ferrari. Only the genius of Stirling Moss prevented them from winning every GP they competed in in 61. Such a shame none of the originals exist

[crmalcolm]

Another match that requires a deciding vote - and I opt for the Tyrrell.

Why - it is one of those designs that children can easily translate to paper when they sketch their race cars, and is an example of trying something different to break the mould of typical F1 design at the time.

I actually employed the coin-toss method to confirm - and yes, when it first landed on the Ferrari I had reservations in casting my vote that way. So Tyrrell it is into Round Two.

[Aysedasi]

Boo, hiss....... I'm going to write to my MP......

[crmalcolm]

Originally Posted by Aysedasi

Boo, hiss....... I'm going to write to my MP......

[Gerard C]

Originally Posted by crmalcolm

I actually employed the coin-toss method to confirm

Rich idea for a change…

[Aysedasi]

It's interesting though. I read the histories provided of course and I do make most of the assessments on the impact the cars had, but there are some where the simple elegant beauty of the car holds sway - as it does here with the Ferrari. Just before Covid hit I went to the National Motor Museum (which is only half an hour up the road from me, but I hadn't been for years) and I recall standing totally captivated by the Lotus 49 they have there. I could have stood and admired it for hours. There are few relatively modern F1 cars that have that effect on me.