![]() ![]() Mika Hakkinen in the Lotus-Ford 107 at the 1992 Australian GP Note: Wins are world championship grand prix wins, non-championship successes are not included. ![]() We have ignored the times when the Lotus name has been brought back, first by the Malaysian-backed team that later became Caterham and then the Enstone-based ‘Lotus’ between its different Renault eras, so this is strictly 1958-94. To produce this list we considered a number of factors, including the level of success each car scored, how important and innovative they were, and how iconic they are. It also scored seven constructors’ and six drivers’ crowns, and in the 1970s briefly overtook Ferrari as the most successful F1 manufacturer in terms of victories. The Roar | Your Sports Opinion and The Lotus Affair | Joe Saward.The 79 world championship F1 wins scored by the firm founded by Colin Chapman puts Lotus fifth in the table, behind Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Williams, and one spot ahead of Red Bull. It is a complex case with each making claim and counter claim against each other. ![]() The argument between the two Lotuses is currently before the high court in the UK. ![]() How did it happen? It is a long and complex story. There are two teams calling themselves Lotus - Lotus Renault F1 and Team Lotus. Here’s the story click through to read the whole, sordid details. Even as a long-time F1 enthusiast, I was astounded to see the “Lotus” branding on the rear wing of the Renaults in Melbourne and, for the life of me, could not figure out how this has occurred. Yet Formula 1 in 2011 has debuted with twoF1 teams named “Lotus.” One of them, descended from Renault (and prior thereto Benetton) is actually using the black and gold livery of the famous, revolutionary John Player Special “ground effects” Lotus 78 chassis driven to a commanding Formula 1 championship by Mario Andretti in 1978. This author has always been a Team Lotus fan, all the way back to Jim Clark and Colin Chapman in the 1960s and 70s. ![]()
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