Lotus 76

Lotus 76 (John Player Special Mk.I)

Constructor	Team Lotus
Designer(s)	Colin Chapman (technical director) Ralph Bellamy (Chief Designer)
Predecessor	Lotus 72
Successor	Lotus 77
Technical specifications[1]
Axle track	1,473 mm (58.0 in) front, 1,575 mm (62.0 in) rear
Wheelbase	2,565 mm (101.0 in)
Engine	Ford Cosworth DFV 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in) V8, NA, mid-mounted
Transmission	Hewland-Lotus 5-speed manual gearbox
Weight	578 kg (1,274 lb)
Fuel	Duckhams
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	Team Lotus
Notable drivers	Ronnie Peterson, Jacky Ickx
Debut	1974 South African Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F.Laps 7 0 0 0 0
n.b. Unless otherwise stated, all data refer to Formula One World Championship Grands Prix only.

The Lotus 76 was a Formula One car designed by Colin Chapman, Tony Rudd and Ralph Bellamy for the 1974 Formula One season. The car was intended to be a more advanced version of the Lotus 72, powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV and featuring modified aerodynamics, a lighter chassis, longer wheelbase and a narrower, lower monocoque. The car also featured a bi-plane rear wing, designed to increase rear downforce and stability. In addition to an electronically operated clutch, which was the precursor to the modern semi automatic gearboxes seen on today's F1 cars, with the control mounted into the gearstick which theoretically speeded up gearchanges. The Lotus 76 was seen as a major technological breakthrough by Team Lotus. Outwardly, the car looked sleek and impressive. Internally, the suspension set up and inboard brake positioning were carried over from the Lotus 72. The car's development had been paid for by title sponsor John Player Special, so the 76 was given the chassis number 'John Player Special Mk I.'

Side view of the Lotus 76 showing bi-plane rear wing

After initial tests by Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx, both drivers complained that the car lacked 'feel' and that the electronic clutch was giving problems. The gearchange was modified, but both drivers persisted in claiming it was no better than the conventional clutch setup. Other problems with the engine installation were encountered, which led to mechanical failures and the car's weight bias being out of sync. The car made its debut at the 1974 South African Grand Prix, Ickx qualified 10th and Peterson qualified 16th, During the race the Swede retired after a collision with the Belgian who also retired when his brakes failed.^[2] At Spain, Peterson qualified 2nd and Ickx qualified 5th, but both retired when their brakes failed.^[3] The Belgian Grand Prix saw the Swede qualify 5th and the Belgian 16th. During the race Peterson retired with a fuel leak and Ickx disappointed his home crowd with overheating problems.^[4] Afterwards, both drivers insisted on going back to the Lotus 72, which Peterson promptly used to challenge for the world championship. Chapman responded by upgrading the 76 to 'B' spec, with enlarged sidepods and better cooling. It was not seen until the German Grand Prix with Peterson. He qualified 8th and finished 4th.^[5] At Austria, Ickx qualified 22nd and retired after a collision.^[6] At the Italian Grand Prix, Ickx qualified 16th and retired with a throttle problem.^[7] Lotus entered Tim Schenken for the United States Grand Prix. He failed to qualify but started illegally from 27th place on the grid and completed six laps before he was disqualified.^[8] The team eventually had to accept that the 76 was a step in the wrong direction, and the whole project was scrapped in favour of keeping the 72s competitive.

Complete Formula One World Championship results

(key)

* 39 points scored using the Lotus 72

References

Team Lotus
Founder Colin Chapman Noted personnel Frank Dernie Gérard Ducarouge Maurice Philippe Peter Warr Peter Wright Len Terry World Champions Mario Andretti Jim Clark Emerson Fittipaldi Graham Hill Jochen Rindt Other notable drivers Elio de Angelis Martin Donnelly Mika Häkkinen Johnny Herbert Jacky Ickx Nigel Mansell Satoru Nakajima Gunnar Nilsson Ronnie Peterson Nelson Piquet Carlos Reutemann Ayrton Senna John Surtees Derek Warwick Alex Zanardi Drivers' titles 1963 1965 1968 1970 1972 1978 Constructors' titles 1963 1965 1968 1970 1972 1973 1978 Formula One cars 12 16 18 21 24 25 33 43 49 56B 63 72 76 77 78 79 80 81 86 87 88 91 92 93T 94T 95T 97T 98T 99T 100T 101 102 107 109 112 Formula Two cars 12 16 18 32 35 41 44 48 59 69 Formula Three cars 22 31 35 41 55 59 69 Formula Junior cars 18 20 22 27 Formula Ford cars 51 59 61 69 Formula 5000 cars 68 70 Tasman Series cars 32 39 67 Indianapolis 500 cars 29 34 38 42 56 64 96T Sports racing cars 15 17 19 23 30 40 47 53