14,200rpm was the peak

I wonder which engine your erstwhile grand prix editor Alan Henry might have chosen as his favourite if he were asked (‘Writer’s block’, 5

May). It might well have been Ferrari’s wonderful

1970s flat 12. After all, he did write a book about it.

The following quote is taken from its introduction.

“Between the beginning of 1970 and the end of

1980, 3.0-litre Ferrari flat 12 Formula 1 engines powered a variety of cars from Maranello in 169

World Championship events, from which Ferrari claimed 37 victories – a 22% success rate. This may not compare with the 110 wins claimed by the Cosworth Ford DFV during the same period, but think for a moment. Dfv-powered cars numbered upwards of 20 on many occasions, whereas there were never more than three Ferraris, and usually there were two.”

The 312 Boxer was in fact a 180deg V12, not a boxer. It was powerful, light and, like the DFV, good looking. It made more power and torque than the DFV and had a wider usable powerband. In Niki Lauda’s day, the Ferrari was the only car that used first gear only for the start at Monaco, with the rest of the race done in second to fifth, saving umpteen changes.

It revved higher than the DFV, too. In Gilles Villeneuve’s day, the limiter was set at 12,800rpm, while the DFV’S was set at 11,000rpm. Furthermore, he and Jody Scheckter were allowed to turn off the limiter if needed. Villeneuve’s dragster-style full-throttle upshifts made good use of this, hitting 14,200rpm on occasion – without the engine breaking.

The same engine proved reliable in the 312 PB, powering it for the 1971, ’72 and ’73 World Sportscar Championships, winning the title in 1972.

I think I would agree with such a choice. Derek Thornton

Bracknell, Berkshire