Lotus

Lotus in motorsport

Team Lotus is one of the most successful teams in the history of Formula 1 and a source of ideas that changed the sport.

7Formula 1 constructors' titles
6drivers' titles
1965Indianapolis 500 win with Jim Clark
Ronnie Peterson in the Lotus 79 in John Player Special colours, Brands Hatch, 1978
Ronnie Peterson in the Lotus 79 in John Player Special colours, Brands Hatch, 1978Photo: 50DAG2026, CC BY-SA 4.0
John Player Special

Black and gold

From 1972 the Team Lotus cars race in the black and gold of John Player Special, one of the most recognisable liveries in Formula 1 history. Emerson Fittipaldi wins the title in them in 1972, and Mario Andretti in 1978.

World champions with Lotus

Jim Clark1963, 1965
Graham Hill1968
Jochen Rindt1970
Emerson Fittipaldi1972
Mario Andretti1978
Lotus 72 in John Player Special colours
Lotus 72 in John Player Special coloursPhoto: John Chapman (Pyrope), CC BY-SA 3.0

Innovations

Monocoque
Photo: John Chapman (Pyrope), CC BY-SA 3.0
1962

Monocoque

The Lotus 25 is the first Formula 1 car with a fully stressed monocoque chassis.

The engine as part of the chassis
Photo: Deep silence (Mikaël Restoux), CC BY-SA 3.0
1967

The engine as part of the chassis

In the Lotus 49 the Cosworth DFV engine is a load-bearing part of the structure.

Ground effect
Photo: Tony Hisgett, CC BY 2.0
1977

Ground effect

The Lotus 78 and 79 use the shape of the underbody to press the car onto the track.