Dallara developed the F312 in response to new FIA Formula 3 technical regulations introduced for the 2012 season. These regulations were significantly more restrictive than those governing the preceding generation of Formula 3 machinery, with a particular emphasis on reducing aerodynamic downforce levels. The car was unveiled publicly at the Masters of Formula 3 event on 20 October 2011 at Circuit Zandvoort in the Netherlands.
The F312 replaced the long-serving Dallara F308, which had been in use since 2008. Compared to its predecessor, the F312 features a higher monocoque structure combined with a lower nose section, a configuration adopted to meet the revised regulatory requirements while optimising aerodynamic behaviour under the new ruleset.
One of the most notable technical advances in the F312 was the placement of the front dampers and springs inside the monocoque tub, a first for any Dallara Formula 3 car. This arrangement freed up space around the front suspension and contributed to a cleaner aerodynamic envelope. The car also incorporated a revised overall aerodynamic package suited to the reduced-downforce environment mandated by the 2012 regulations.
The construction follows conventional Formula 3 practice: a carbon fibre reinforced plastic monocoque with a load-bearing mid-mounted engine and free-standing, non-enclosed wheels.
Over 53 examples of the original F312 were produced, making it one of the most successful Formula 3 chassis by volume. The car was used in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship and numerous national and regional Formula 3 series around the world.
Dallara's successor chassis, the F317, was introduced and adopted by several major series, but the F312 was not immediately retired. Championships including the Euroformula Open Championship and the Japanese Formula 3 Championship continued to race the F312 beyond the F317's introduction, and Euroformula Open notably opted to continue with an upgraded F312 specification rather than adopt the F317 package, primarily to control costs for teams and drivers.
The F317 itself is mechanically derived from the F312, representing an aerodynamic evolution rather than an entirely new design. The continuity between the two models reflects the strength of the F312's foundational engineering, which provided a stable platform that could be incrementally developed.
The Dallara F312's combination of accessibility, safety, and competitive balance made it a fixture of junior single-seater racing for several years after its introduction. Its longevity across multiple championships and its record production numbers reflect its role as a pivotal Formula 3 chassis during a period when the series served as one of the primary stepping stones between lower formulae and international competition. The car sat within a lineage of Dallara Formula 3 products stretching from the late 1990s through to the modern era, and helped sustain Dallara's dominant position in the Formula 3 chassis supply market.