The Lotus 79 Peterson, also known as the Lotus 79B, was a Formula One racing car designed by Colin Chapman and his team at Lotus in 1978. It was driven by Swedish racing driver Ronnie Peterson during the 1978 Formula One season.
The Lotus 79 was a groundbreaking car that introduced several new technologies to Formula One racing. It was the first F1 car to feature ground effects aerodynamics, which used venturi tunnels underneath the car to create downforce and improve cornering performance. This gave the car a significant advantage over its competitors, allowing it to dominate the 1978 season.
The Lotus 79 Peterson was powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine, which was a common engine choice in Formula One at the time. The car also featured a revolutionary side-mounted radiators design, which helped improve the car's aerodynamics and cooling efficiency.
Ronnie Peterson had a successful season driving the Lotus 79, winning two races and finishing on the podium in several others. However, tragedy struck at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza when Peterson was involved in a multi-car accident at the start of the race. He suffered severe leg injuries and passed away the following day due to complications from the injuries.
Despite the tragic end to the season, the Lotus 79 Peterson remains one of the most iconic and successful Formula One cars in history. It revolutionized the sport with its ground effects aerodynamics and set the standard for future F1 cars. The car's success in the 1978 season solidified Lotus as one of the top teams in Formula One at the time.
1:18 | Racing | GP Replicas
The Lotus 98T, also known as Lotus 98 #11 Dumfries, was a Formula One racing car designed by Lotus for the 1986 Formula One season. It was driven by British driver Johnny Dumfries, who competed for the Lotus team alongside Ayrton Senna.
The Lotus 98T was powered by a 1.5-liter turbocharged Renault V6 engine, which was capable of producing around 900 horsepower. The car featured a carbon fiber monocoque chassis and was fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox.
Dumfries had a challenging season with the Lotus 98T, as he struggled to match the pace of his more experienced teammate, Senna. He scored a total of 3 points throughout the season, with his best result being a 5th place finish at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Despite its lack of success on track, the Lotus 98T was praised for its innovative design and advanced technology. It featured a number of aerodynamic enhancements, including side skirts and a large rear wing, which helped to improve the car's performance in high-speed corners.
Overall, the Lotus 98T was a competitive and visually striking Formula One car that played a key role in the team's performance during the 1986 season.
1:43 | Racing | GP Replicas
The Lotus 78 was a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman and his team at Lotus in 1977. It was a ground-breaking car that introduced several new design concepts that would become standard in Formula One in the years to come. The Lotus 78 was powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine and featured a revolutionary new aerodynamic design known as "ground effects."
Lotus 78 chassis number 6 was driven by Swedish racing driver Ronnie Peterson during the 1977 Formula One season. Peterson was known for his smooth driving style and was considered one of the fastest and most talented drivers of his era. He had previously driven for teams like March and Tyrrell before joining Lotus in 1973.
Peterson had a successful season in the Lotus 78, scoring two wins at the South African Grand Prix and the Austrian Grand Prix. He also had several podium finishes throughout the season, finishing second in the Drivers' Championship behind Niki Lauda. The Lotus 78 chassis number 6 was one of the most competitive cars on the grid that season, thanks to its innovative aerodynamic design and Peterson's skill behind the wheel.
Tragically, Ronnie Peterson was involved in a serious crash at the start of the 1978 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he sustained fatal injuries. His death was a great loss to the motorsport community, and he is remembered as one of the greatest drivers in Formula One history.
Lotus 78 chassis number 6 is now considered a historic racing car and is often displayed at vintage racing events and museums around the world. It remains a symbol of innovation and success in Formula One racing during the 1970s.
1:18 | Racing | GP Replicas
The Lotus 91 was a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman and Martin Ogilvie for Team Lotus in the 1982 Formula One season. The car was powered by a Cosworth DFV V8 engine and driven by Italian driver Elio De Angelis.
De Angelis drove the Lotus 91 with the number 11 in the 1982 season, alongside his teammate Nigel Mansell. The car featured a streamlined design with a low profile and a distinctive black and gold livery, which became iconic for Lotus during this era.
The 1982 season was a challenging one for Lotus, as they struggled with reliability issues and fierce competition from other teams. De Angelis managed to achieve several podium finishes throughout the season, including a second-place finish at the Austrian Grand Prix and a third-place finish at the Swiss Grand Prix.
Despite the setbacks, De Angelis showed great skill and determination behind the wheel of the Lotus 91, earning praise for his smooth driving style and consistent performances. He finished the season in 7th place in the drivers' championship, scoring a total of 23 points.
Overall, the Lotus 91 was a competitive car that showcased the technical innovation and engineering prowess of Team Lotus. It remains a memorable and respected part of Formula One history, thanks to the talents of Elio De Angelis and the team's commitment to excellence.
