The '60s and the '70s were the golden age of Formula 1 with the introduction of very interesting and innovative technologies. Sadly, this is no longer the case. Here's a feature about the famous 6-wheel Tyrrell P34 created by Derek Gardner who recently passed away at the age of 79.
Before joining the Tyrrell team in 1970, Gardner first worked in F1 for Matra in 1969 to help development of a four-wheel drive system.
The following information was excerpted from what is probably the best web site devoted to the P34: www.project34.co.uk
Gardner set to work on designing a car to replace the successful, but rapidly ageing Tyrrell 007. He calculated that they needed the equivalent of a gain of 50hp on the competition in order to leap frog the other teams, since almost everyone was running the same Cosworth DFV engine the gain would have to be made elsewhere in the design.
After a few weeks of research he presented his concept to Ken Tyrrell in August 1974. On the piece of paper presented to Ken was sketched an F1 car with six wheels! Two regular sized wheels at the rear and four small 10-inch wheels at the front.
The theory was that exposed tires cause lift, and the bigger they are, the greater the lift they will produce, and standard four wheel F1 cars counteract this effect by the use of more wing at the front.
Before joining the Tyrrell team in 1970, Gardner first worked in F1 for Matra in 1969 to help development of a four-wheel drive system.
The following information was excerpted from what is probably the best web site devoted to the P34: www.project34.co.uk
Gardner set to work on designing a car to replace the successful, but rapidly ageing Tyrrell 007. He calculated that they needed the equivalent of a gain of 50hp on the competition in order to leap frog the other teams, since almost everyone was running the same Cosworth DFV engine the gain would have to be made elsewhere in the design.
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| Ronnie Peterson in the P34. (Photo: Project34) |
After a few weeks of research he presented his concept to Ken Tyrrell in August 1974. On the piece of paper presented to Ken was sketched an F1 car with six wheels! Two regular sized wheels at the rear and four small 10-inch wheels at the front.
The theory was that exposed tires cause lift, and the bigger they are, the greater the lift they will produce, and standard four wheel F1 cars counteract this effect by the use of more wing at the front.