Lotus 21

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Lotus 21
Lotus 21 at Silverstone Classic 2011.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Team Lotus
Production1961
Body and chassis
Class Formula One
Body style Open wheel
Powertrain
Engine Coventry Climax FPF
Transmission ZF 5DS10
Chronology
Predecessor Lotus 18
Successor Lotus 24 / Lotus 25

The Lotus 21 was a Formula One racing car [1] designed by Colin Chapman. It was a mid-engined design using a tubular spaceframe structure skinned with fibreglass panels, of a more advanced build than seen in the Lotus 18. Powered by the 1.5-litre Coventry Climax FPF 4-cylinder engine, it used disc brakes all round.

Contents

Used by the works Lotus team and the privateer Rob Walker Racing Team in 1961, the 21 was the first works Lotus to win a Formula One Grand Prix, in the hands of Innes Ireland at the 1961 United States Grand Prix. (Previous victories were taken by Rob Walker's team). Customer teams continued to use it up to 1965. It was soon rendered obsolete by the Lotus 24 and the monocoque Lotus 25 introduced for the 1962 Formula One season. [2]

Scale models and die cast

Complete Formula One World Championship results

YearEntrantEngineTyreDriver(s)12345678910PointsWCC
1961 Team Lotus Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA 3212nd
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jim Clark 103F123Ret4Ret7
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Innes Ireland DNSRet410NC1
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Stirling Moss Ret
1962 Ecurie Nationale Suisse Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA RSA 36 (38)22nd
Flag of Switzerland.svg Jo Siffert DNQ
Ecurie Filipinetti 1012
Jim Hall Flag of the United States.svg Jim Hall DNS
Ernie Pieterse Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Ernie Pieterse 10
Neville Lederle Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Neville Lederle 6
1963 Lawson Organisation Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA MEX RSA 54 (74)21st
Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Ernie Pieterse Ret
1965 Lawson Organisation Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D RSA MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 54 (58)21st
Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Ernie Pieterse DNQ
Scuderia Scribante Flag of South Africa (1928-1994).svg Neville Lederle DNQ

1 17 points were scored using the Lotus 21, the other 15 points were scored using other Lotus models
2 All points were scored using other Lotus models

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References

  1. Automobile Year, No. 9, 1961–1962, Page 191.
  2. Automobile Year, No. 10, 1962–1963, Pages 198-199.
  3. Ramsey, John (1984). The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys. Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd. p. 33. ISBN   095093190X.