Tyrrell 012

Tyrrell 012

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Designer(s)	Maurice Philippe
Predecessor	011
Successor	014
Technical specifications
Chassis	Alloy monocoque with Carbon fibre reinforcements
Suspension (front)	Double wishbone, pullrod operated coil springs
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbone, coil springs
Engine	Cosworth DFY, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission	Hewland FGA 400 5-speed manual
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Tyrrell Racing Organisation
Notable drivers	3. Michele Alboreto 4. Danny Sullivan 3. Martin Brundle 3. Stefan Johansson 4. Stefan Bellof 4. Mike Thackwell
Debut	1983 Austrian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps 29 0 0 0

The Tyrrell 012 is a Formula One racing car that was designed by Maurice Philippe for the Tyrrell team. It was introduced for the 1983 season, and was subsequently used in 1984 and the first few races of 1985. It was the first chassis built by the team to be composed mostly of carbon fibre, following on from Lotus and McLaren. The car was powered by the short-stroke version of the Ford Cosworth DFV that had previously been supplied to Lotus, after that team signed to use Renault turbo engines. The Benetton clothing company sponsored the team in 1983, with the large budget used to successfully develop the car. Although the car was light and nimble, it was no match against the massively powerful turbo cars.

A 1983-liveried 012 being demonstrated at the 2008 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Stefan Bellof in a Tyrrell 012 at the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix.

Ken Tyrrell continued to use young, promising drivers in his team and helped develop their careers. Michele Alboreto, in his second year for the team, scored a point in the car's first race at Zandvoort.

For 1984, Alboreto moved on to Ferrari and was replaced by Martin Brundle, whilst Stefan Bellof filled the other seat. The 012 was further developed with smaller sidepods and a larger rear wing to increase downforce. A newer version of the DFV, dubbed the DFY was provided to the team by Ford. Tyrrell were now the only one of the established teams to use the venerable engine. Brundle and Bellof drove excellently, achieving solid placings and a podium place each, but after Brundle's second place in the United States Grand Prix the cars were disqualified by the FIA for various rule infringements and the team were excluded from the championship.

The 012 was pressed into service in the early races of 1985 and Bellof pulled off a run of points finishes until the 014 Renault turbo was introduced; its chassis almost identical to its predecessor's. The 012 does, however, have the distinction of being the last Formula 1 car to enter a race powered by the Cosworth DFV engine, with Martin Brundle driving in the 1985 Austrian Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Driver	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Pts.	WCC
1983	Benetton Tyrrell Racing Team	Cosworth DFY V8 NA	G		BRA	USW	FRA	SMR	MON	BEL	DET	CAN	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	EUR	RSA		12*	7th
				Michele Alboreto											Ret	6	Ret	Ret	Ret
				Danny Sullivan														Ret	7
1984	Tyrrell Racing Organisation	Cosworth DFY V8 NA	G		BRA	RSA	BEL	SMR	FRA	MON	CAN	DET	DAL	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	EUR	POR	0*	EX
				Martin Brundle	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DNQ	DSQ	DSQ	DNQ
				Stefan Johansson										DSQ	DSQ	DNQ	DSQ	EX	EX	EX
				Stefan Bellof	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ	DSQ		EX	DSQ	EX	EX	EX
				Mike Thackwell											DNQ
1985	Tyrrell Racing Organisation	Cosworth DFY V8 NA	G		BRA	POR	SMR	MON	CAN	DET	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	BEL	EUR	RSA	AUS	4	9th
				Martin Brundle	8	Ret	9	10	12	Ret			10	DNQ
				Stefan Bellof		6	Ret	DNQ	11	4	13	11
				Stefan Johansson	7

* 11 points scored using Tyrrell 011 in 1983
* Tyrrell Racing disqualified for entire 1984 season