Feature
The New Ferrari Has Split Opinions — But Does a New Colour Change Your Mind?
Can spec save the day for Ferrari's divisive new model?
September 11, 2025
If you’re an F1 fan, you’ll have noticed Ferrari’s change of livery for last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza. One-off liveries have become a bit of a thing these days, whether it’s something special for the team’s home race or something fittingly colourful for Miami, teams are coming up with more frequent ways to keep eyes on their car, and of course, their sponsors.
The livery Ferrari’s SF-25 wore at Monza wasn’t something new though, rather a very cool homage to an iconic design of the ‘70s — the 312T, as driven by Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni in 1975.
The design echoed the whole colour scheme with the white engine cover, pinstripes, bold numbers, the scribbling of the driver’s name on the side, and even the wheel covers echo the gold four-spoke design of the 312T’s wheels.
Fittingly enough, 312T has been prominent again recently when it was sold by Tom Hartley Jnr as part of Bernie Ecclestone’s phenomenal collection. That was the very car Niki Lauda drove to victory at the 1975 French Grand Prix before ultimately claiming the Driver’s World Championship, making it the first Ferrari to win the World Championship since 1964.
There’s something cool (and exceptionally nerdy) about looking at both cars side by side, comparing all the similarities along with the ways Ferrari has modernised the design, like the modern-day satin red instead of the traditional gloss.
It’s amazing to see the differences in the cars themselves too. The 312T looks tiny, and the difference between its front and rear wheels is comical. The cars have grown much longer and sleeker compared to the compact dimensions and tall engine cover/intake of the 312T, and looking inside generates serious admiration for the drivers of the old school, with little more than three pedals, a gear stick, and a steering wheel. There’s an analogue rev counter dead centre, and the seat is flanked by fuel tanks.
The 312T is now sold, and you can find out about the momentous sale of the full Ecclestone collection here.
