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The Lotus 72 is a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe of Lotus for the 1970 Formula One season. The 72 was a pioneering design featuring inboard brakes, side-mounted radiators in sidepods (as opposed to the nose-mounted radiators, which had been commonplace since before World War II), and aerodynamic wings producing down-force.
The overall shape of the 72 was innovative, resembling a wedge on wheels which was inspired by the earlier Lotus 56 gas turbine car. The shape made for better air penetration and higher speeds. In a back-to-back test with the Lotus 49, the 72 was 12 mph faster with the same Cosworth engine.
Chapman's and Phillippe's efforts produced one of the most remarkable and successful designs in F1 history. Taking the stressed engine layout technique from the Lotus 49 and adding advanced aerodynamics produced a car that was years ahead of its rivals. To begin with, however, problems with the handling of the car had to be overcome, due to a lack of 'feel' caused by the anti-dive suspension geometry – which was designed to prevent the nose of the car dipping significantly under braking – and the anti-squat set-up at the rear, which was supposed to stop the car 'squatting down' under acceleration. Once the suspension was modified, there were no further major problems aside from front inboard brake shafts failing. The car caused a sensation amongst the media and fans, with many people clamouring to see the remarkable car in action. [2]
A total of nine chassis were built. [3]
The car was introduced at the Spanish Grand Prix in April, the 2nd race of the 1970 season, and continued the red, cream and gold paint scheme of Gold Leaf cigarettes, first introduced with the Lotus 49. The cars were driven by Jochen Rindt and John Miles, but the 72 was withdrawn from competition after Spanish Grand Prix, due to poor performance, for suspension modification.
It was re-entered for the Dutch GP, and Rindt soon made the car successful, by winning the Dutch, French, British and German Grands Prix in quick succession. Rindt was almost certainly going to win the world championship but was killed in a qualifying crash at Monza, driving the 72 with its wings removed, when a front brake shaft failed sending the car at high speed into a poorly installed safety barrier. His replacement, Emerson Fittipaldi, won the United States race, helping Rindt become F1's only posthumous world champion. Rindt's and Fittipaldi's combined points for the season helped Lotus to its fourth constructors' championship.
The car was developed during 1971 by Tony Rudd who had formerly worked at BRM. He worked especially on redesigning the rear suspension and modified the rear wing to produce more downforce. Fittipaldi struggled during the season but scored good results and finished a respectable sixth, whilst the following season was much better. The development work done behind the scenes helped him become the youngest world champion in F1's history in 1972 winning five races in the 72, whilst Lotus again won the constructors' championship. The car now sported a striking paint scheme of black and gold; Imperial Tobacco had introduced a new brand, and decided to increase exposure and provide more funds to Lotus as part of the deal. Lotus was now sponsored by John Player Special cigarettes. [3]
The 1973 season saw new rules introduced to increase car safety. This included mandatory deformable structure to be built into the sides of the cars, causing the 72 to be further updated with integrated sidepods, larger bodywork and new wing mounts. Fittipaldi was joined for 1973 by Swede Ronnie Peterson. Peterson fell in love with the 72. In his first season with Lotus, Peterson won four races, while Fittipaldi won three, but a number of retirements helped Jackie Stewart snatch the drivers' championship, although the large points tally built up by their two drivers helped Lotus keep the constructors' championship. Fittipaldi left for McLaren in 1974, to drive a car closely based on the 72, the McLaren M23. [4]
This left Peterson as team leader, while Jacky Ickx joined the team to partner him. The 72 was meant to be replaced by the Lotus 76, intended to be a lighter and leaner version of the 72, but the car's technology proved to be too ambitious and the project flopped. [5] Lotus turned to the venerable 72 for the 1974 season. A further update to the car, increasing the front and rear track kept the car competitive. Peterson won another three races and challenged for the championship in a very closely contested season, ably supported by Ickx who turned in solid performances and scored several podiums. The now aging 72 did remarkably well for a four-year-old design, finishing fourth in the constructors' championship.
For 1975, without a replacement chassis, the 72 was again pressed into service. By now it was obvious that the car, even with further modifications including a wider track and redesigned suspension, was no match for the new Ferrari 312T, which took the title, or even the latest Brabham BT44 and Lotus finished 6th in the constructors' championship. [6]
After 20 wins, two drivers' and three constructors' championships, the 72 was retired for the 1976 season and replaced by the Lotus 77. This longevity makes it one of the most successful ever Formula 1 cars. [7]
The car was later used to win the 1996 Historic Formula One Championship.
(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)
| Year | Chassis | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Points | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 72 72B 72C | Gold Leaf Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | RSA | ESP | MON | BEL | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | MEX | 59 1 | 1st 1 | |||
| Jochen Rindt | Ret | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Ret | DNS | |||||||||||||||
| John Miles | DNQ | Ret | 7 | 8 | Ret | Ret | Ret | DNS | ||||||||||||||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | DNS | 1 | Ret | |||||||||||||||||||
| Reine Wisell | 3 | NC | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brooke Bond Oxo Racing | Graham Hill | DNA | DNS | NC | Ret | Ret | ||||||||||||||||
| World Wide Racing | Alex Soler-Roig | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1971 | 72C 72D | Gold Leaf Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | RSA | ESP | MON | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 21 | 5th | |||||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | Ret | Ret | 5 | 3 | 3 | Ret | 2 | 7 | NC | |||||||||||||
| Reine Wisell | 4 | NC | Ret | DSQ | 6 | 8 | 4 | 5 | Ret | |||||||||||||
| Dave Charlton | DNS | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Villiger Cigar Team | Herbert Müller | DNA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1972 | 72D | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | ARG | RSA | ESP | MON | BEL | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 61 | 1st | ||||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | Ret | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Ret | 1 | 1 | 11 | Ret | ||||||||||
| David Walker | DSQ | 10 | 9 | 14 | 14 | 18 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | ||||||||||||
| Tony Trimmer | DNA | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Reine Wisell | Ret | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Scribante Lucky Strike Racing | Dave Charlton | Ret | DNQ | Ret | Ret | |||||||||||||||||
| 1973 | 72D 72E | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | BEL | MON | SWE | FRA | GBR | NED | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 92 (96) | 1st | |
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 12 | Ret | Ret | Ret | 6 | Ret | 2 | 2 | 6 | |||||||
| Ronnie Peterson | Ret | Ret | 11 | Ret | Ret | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 11 | Ret | 1 | 1 | Ret | 1 | |||||||
| Scribante Lucky Strike Racing | Dave Charlton | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1974 | 72E | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | BEL | MON | SWE | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | CAN | USA | 42 2 | 4th 2 | |
| Ronnie Peterson | 13 | 6 | 1 | Ret | 8 | 1 | 10 | Ret | 1 | 3 | Ret | |||||||||||
| Jacky Ickx | Ret | 3 | Ret | Ret | 11 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 13 | Ret | ||||||||||||
| Team Gunston | F | Paddy Driver | Ret | |||||||||||||||||||
| Ian Scheckter | 13 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Scribante Lucky Strike Racing | G | John McNicol | DNA | |||||||||||||||||||
| 1975 | 72E 72F | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ARG | BRA | RSA | ESP | MON | BEL | SWE | NED | FRA | GBR | GER | AUT | ITA | USA | 9 | 7th | ||
| Ronnie Peterson | Ret | 15 | 10 | Ret | 4 | Ret | 9 | 15 | 10 | Ret | Ret | 5 | Ret | 5 | ||||||||
| Jacky Ickx | 8 | 9 | 12 | 2 | 8 | Ret | 15 | Ret | Ret | |||||||||||||
| Jim Crawford | Ret | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Brian Henton | 16 | DNS | NC | |||||||||||||||||||
| John Watson | Ret | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Team Gunston | Guy Tunmer | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Eddie Keizan | 13 |
^1 Includes 14 points scored using the Lotus 49.
^2 Includes 3 points scored using the Lotus 76.
(key)
| Year | Entrant | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Gold Leaf Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | ROC | INT | OUL | ||||||
| John Miles | 17 | |||||||||||
| Jochen Rindt | 2 | |||||||||||
| R.R.C. Walker Racing | Graham Hill | Ret | ||||||||||
| 1971 | Gold Leaf Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | ARG | ROC | QUE | SPR | INT | RIN | OUL | VIC | |
| Reine Wisell | Ret | Ret | Ret | 13 | 10 | |||||||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | Ret | Ret | 7 | 2 | ||||||||
| Tony Trimmer | Ret | DNS | ||||||||||
| David Walker | 9 | |||||||||||
| 1972 | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | F | ROC | BRA | INT | OUL | REP | VIC | |||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | 1 | Ret | 1 | 2 | 1 | Ret | ||||||
| David Walker | 9 | 5 | DNS | Ret | ||||||||
| 1973 | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ROC | INT | |||||||
| Emerson Fittipaldi | Ret | Ret | ||||||||||
| Ronnie Peterson | Ret | 2 | ||||||||||
| 1974 | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | PRE | ROC | INT | ||||||
| Jacky Ickx | 1 | |||||||||||
| 1975 | John Player Team Lotus | Ford Cosworth DFV | G | ROC | INT | SUI | ||||||
| Ronnie Peterson | 3 | DNS | 4 | |||||||||
| Jacky Ickx | 4 | |||||||||||
| Jim Crawford | DNS | |||||||||||
In 1973, Brazilian singer-songwriter Zé Roberto released a song titled "Lotus 72D", inspired by Emerson Fittipaldi's victory at the 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix. [8]
Karl Jochen Rindt was a German-born racing driver who competed with an Austrian licence during his career, despite having German and not Austrian citizenship. In 1970, he was killed during practice for the Italian Grand Prix and became the only driver to be posthumously awarded the Formula One World Drivers' Championship.
The 1969 Gran Premio de Mexico was a Formula One motor race held at the Ciudad Deportiva Magdalena Mixhuca, Mexico City on October 19, 1969, two weeks after the United States Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. It was race 11 of 11 in both the 1969 World Championship of Drivers and the 1969 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. The 65-lap race was won by McLaren driver Denny Hulme after he started from fourth position. Jacky Ickx finished second for the Brabham team and his teammate Jack Brabham came in third.
The 1970 Monaco Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at the Circuit de Monaco on 10 May 1970. It was race 3 of 13 in both the 1970 World Championship of Drivers and the 1970 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers. Jochen Rindt scored the last victory for the famous Lotus 49.
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The 1970 United States Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on October 4, 1970 at the Watkins Glen Grand Prix Race Course in Watkins Glen, New York. It was race 12 of 13 in both the 1970 World Championship of Drivers and the 1970 International Cup for Formula One Manufacturers.
The 1974 Formula One season was the 28th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1974 World Championship of F1 Drivers and the 1974 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, contested concurrently over a fifteen-race series which commenced on 13 January and ended on 6 October. The season also included three non-championship races.
The 1972 Formula One season was the 26th season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 23rd World Championship of Drivers, the 15th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and numerous non-championship Formula One races. The World Championship season commenced on 23 January and ended on 8 October after twelve races.
The 1971 Formula One season was the 25th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 22nd World Championship of Drivers, the 14th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and a number of non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over eleven races between 6 March and 3 October.
The 1970 Formula One season was the 24th season of the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 21st World Championship of Drivers, the 13th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and three non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over thirteen races between 7 March and 25 October.
The 1969 Formula One season was the 23rd season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 20th World Championship of Drivers, the 12th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers and four non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over eleven races between 1 March and 19 October 1969.
The 1968 Formula One season was the 22nd season of the FIA's Formula One motor racing. It featured the 19th World Championship of Drivers, the 11th International Cup for F1 Manufacturers, and three non-championship races open to Formula One cars. The World Championship was contested over twelve races between 1 January and 3 November 1968.
John Jeremy Miles was a British racing driver from England. He participated in 15 Formula One World Championship Grands Prix, making his debut on 6 July 1969, in the Lotus 63 4-wheel drive F1 car for which he was the official Team Lotus test driver. He scored a total of 2 championship points with a fifth place in the 1970 South African Grand Prix.
Team Lotus was the motorsport sister company of English sports car manufacturer Lotus Cars. The team ran cars in many motorsport categories including Formula One, Formula Two, Formula Ford, Formula Junior, IndyCar, and sports car racing. More than ten years after its last race, Team Lotus remained one of the most successful racing teams of all time, winning seven Formula One Constructors' titles, six Drivers' Championships, and the Indianapolis 500 in the United States between 1962 and 1978. Under the direction of founder and chief designer Colin Chapman, Lotus was responsible for many innovative and experimental developments in critical motorsport, in both technical and commercial arenas.
David Walker was an Australian racing driver who drove for Lotus in the 1971 and 1972 Formula One World Championships.
The Lotus 49 was a Formula One racing car designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe for the 1967 F1 season. It was designed around the Cosworth DFV engine that would power most of the Formula One grid through the 1970s. It was one of the first F1 cars to use a stressed member engine combined with a monocoque to reduce weight, with other teams adopting the concept after its success. An iteration of it, the 49B, also pioneered the use of aerofoils to generate downforce.
The Lotus 79 is a Formula One car designed in late 1977 by Colin Chapman, Geoff Aldridge, Martin Ogilvie, Tony Rudd, Tony Southgate and Peter Wright of Lotus. The Lotus 79 was the first F1 car to take full advantage of ground effects aerodynamics.
The McLaren M23 was a Formula One racing car designed by Gordon Coppuck, with input from John Barnard, and built by the McLaren team. It was a development of the McLaren M16 Indianapolis 500 car. A Ford Cosworth DFV engine was used, which was prepared by specialist tuning company Nicholson-McLaren Engines. This helped push the DFV's horsepower output to around 490 bhp.
The Lotus 76 is a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman, Tony Rudd and Ralph Bellamy and used by Team Lotus in the 1974 Formula One season.
The Ferrari 312B is a Formula One racing car designed and built by Scuderia Ferrari. It was the successor to the Ferrari 312 and was used from 1970 until early 1975. The original 312B was developed into the 312B2 and 312B3.
Four-wheel drive (4WD) has only been tried a handful of times in Formula One. In the World Championship era since 1950, only eight such cars are known to have been built.
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