Tyrrell 008
| Company type | Racing car |
|---|---|
| Industry | Motorsport |
| Predecessor | Tyrrell P34 |
| Founded | 1978 |
| Founder | Maurice Philippe (designer) |
| Products | Formula One car |
The Tyrrell 008 was a Formula One vehicle campaigned by the Tyrrell Racing Organisation throughout the 1978 season. Driven by Didier Pironi and Patrick Depailler, it achieved several podium finishes, including a triumph at the 1978 Monaco Grand Prix.
Development
Maurice Philippe engineered the 008 as a successor to the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34. It utilized an aluminum monocoque chassis combined with a V8 Cosworth DFV power unit.
Originally conceived as a fan car similar to the Brabham BT46, the concept involved relocating radiators beneath the chassis to enhance aerodynamic efficiency and employing a rear-mounted fan to both cool the radiators and generate additional downforce. However, persistent overheating issues during trials led to the abandonment of this fan-based cooling approach. David Cox, who assisted Gordon Murray, observed the 008's testing sessions and provided feedback that influenced rival designs.
Racing history
For the 1978 campaign, Tyrrell signed Didier Pironi to join teammate Patrick Depailler. The 008 made its competitive debut at the 1978 Argentine Grand Prix, where Depailler qualified tenth and finished in third place. Despite retiring in Brazil, Depailler followed with three successive podium results: second in South Africa, third in the United States, and his maiden victory at Monaco, having qualified fifth. He also secured three additional points-scoring finishes, including a runner-up spot in Austria, although mechanical reliability restricted him to completing only eight races.
Pironi began his season starting 23rd in Argentina and finished 14th. Over the course of the year, he scored points in five events, with his best outcomes being two fifth-place finishes at Monaco and Germany. His highest qualifying position was ninth in Austria, notably outpacing Depailler on that occasion.
Tyrrell concluded the Constructors' Championship in fourth place with a total of 38 points. In the Drivers' Championship standings, Depailler placed fifth with 34 points while Pironi was fifteenth with seven points.
Complete Formula One World Championship results
(key) (Bold denotes pole position; italics signify fastest lap.)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Template:F1 | Elf Team Tyrrell | Ford V8 | Template:Goodyear | ARG | BRA | RSA | USW | MON | BEL | ESP | SWE | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | NED | ITA | USA | CAN | 38 | 4th | |
| Didier Pironi | 14 | 6 | 6 | Ret | 5 | 6 | 12 | Ret | 10 | Ret | 5 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 10 | 7 | ||||||
| Patrick Depailler | 3 | Ret | 2 | 3 | 1 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | 4 | Ret | 2 | Ret | 11 | Ret | 5 |