Lotus 72


The Lotus 72 was a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman and Maurice Philippe of Lotus for the 1970 Formula One season.

Development

The 72 was yet another innovative design by Chapman featuring inboard brakes, side-mounted radiators in sidepods, as opposed to the nose-mounted radiators, which had been commonplace since the 1950s, and an overhead air intake. The overall shape of the car was innovative too, resembling a wedge on wheels which was inspired by the earlier Lotus 56 gas turbine car, and the layout taken from the Lotus 63 four-wheel-drive project testbed. 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 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 problems. The car caused a sensation amongst the media and fans, with many people clamouring to see the remarkable car in action.
A total of 9 chassis were built.

Race history

1970

The car was introduced partway into the 1970 season, driven by Jochen Rindt and John Miles. Rindt made the car successful, 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. 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.

1971–1972

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 paintscheme 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.

1973

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.

1974

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. 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.

1975

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.
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 arguably the most successful ever Formula 1 car.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

YearChassisEntrantEngineTyresDrivers123456789101112131415PointsWCC
72
72B
72C		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRSAESPMONBELNEDFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSAMEX591st
72
72B
72C		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJochen RindtRet1111RetDNS591st
72
72B
72C		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJohn MilesDNQRet78RetRetRetDNS591st
72
72B
72C		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson FittipaldiDNS1Ret591st
72
72B
72C		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVReine Wisell3NC591st
72
72B
72C		Brooke Bond Oxo RacingFord Cosworth DFVGraham HillDNADNSNCRetRet591st
72
72B
72C		World Wide RacingFord Cosworth DFVAlex Soler-RoigDNQ591st
72C
72D		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRSAESPMONNEDFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA215th
72C
72D		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson FittipaldiRetRet533Ret27NC215th
72C
72D		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVReine Wisell4NCRetDSQ6845Ret215th
72C
72D		Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVDave CharltonDNSRet215th
72C
72D		Villiger Cigar TeamFord Cosworth DFVHerbert MüllerDNA215th
72DJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVARGRSAESPMONBELFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA611st
72DJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson FittipaldiRet213121Ret1111Ret611st
72DJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVDavid WalkerDSQ109141418RetRetRetRet611st
72DJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVTony TrimmerDNA611st
72DJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVReine WisellRet10611st
72DScribante Lucky Strike RacingFord Cosworth DFVDave CharltonRetDNQRetRet611st
72D
72E		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVARGBRARSAESPBELMONSWEFRAGBRNEDGERAUTITACANUSA92 1st
72D
72E		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson Fittipaldi11313212RetRetRet6Ret22692 1st
72D
72E		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRonnie PetersonRetRet11RetRet321211Ret11Ret192 1st
72D
72E		Scribante Lucky Strike RacingFord Cosworth DFVDave CharltonRet92 1st
72EJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVARGBRARSAESPBELMONSWENEDFRAGBRGERAUTITACANUSA424th
72EJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRonnie Peterson1361Ret8110Ret13Ret424th
72EJohn Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJacky IckxRet3RetRet1153513Ret424th
72ETeam GunstonFord Cosworth DFVPaddy DriverRet424th
72ETeam GunstonFord Cosworth DFVIan Scheckter13424th
72EScribante Lucky Strike RacingFord Cosworth DFVJohn McNicolDNA424th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVARGBRARSAESPMONBELSWENEDFRAGBRGERAUTITAUSA97th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRonnie PetersonRet1510Ret4Ret91510RetRet5Ret597th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJacky Ickx891228Ret15RetRet97th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJim CrawfordRet1397th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVBrian Henton16DNSNC97th
72E
72F		John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJohn WatsonRet97th
72E
72F		Team GunstonFord Cosworth DFVGuy Tunmer1197th
72E
72F		Team GunstonFord Cosworth DFVEddie Keizan1397th

Includes 14 points scored using the Lotus 49.
Includes 3 points scored using the Lotus 76.

Non-championship Formula One results

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers12345678
1970Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVROCINTOUL
1970Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJohn Miles17
1970Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJochen Rindt2
1971Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVARGROCQUESPRINTRINOULVIC
1971Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVReine WisellRetRetRet1310
1971Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson FittipaldiRetRet72
1971Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVTony TrimmerRetDNS
1971Gold Leaf Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVDavid Walker9
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVROCBRAINTOULREPVIC
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson Fittipaldi1Ret121Ret
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVDavid Walker95DNSRet
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVROCINT
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVEmerson FittipaldiRetRet
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRonnie PetersonRet2
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVPREROCINT
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJacky Ickx1
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVROCINTSUI
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVRonnie Peterson3DNS4
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJacky Ickx4
John Player Team LotusFord Cosworth DFVJim CrawfordDNS