- Lotus 72, The Lotus 72 Story, six years at the top - by Hrvoje Vrbanc
- Lotus 72, Lotus 72 technical appraisal - by Hrvoje Vrbanc
|
Lotus 72 made its debut at the Spanish GP, 19 April 1970, the second World Championship race that year. Its last race came 5 years, 5 months and 21 days later. This makes Lotus 72’s career the longest in modern Formula 1. This is intended to be the full statistics of its life. Race debuts of each particular chassis are typed in British Racing Green. Total points in brackets represent points counted towards the Constructors World Championship since only one car - the best placed - per manufacturer in each race was awarded points.
FL - Formula Libre race
F1/F5000 - Formula 1 and Formula 5000 cars allowed (mixed field)
|
1970: Rindt & Gold
Leaf Team Lotus World Champions
ALL
RACES: 12
| |
72/1 |
72/2 |
72/3 |
72/4 |
72/5 |
TOTAL |
Rindt |
Miles |
Hill |
Fittipaldi |
Wisell |
|
STARTS |
5 |
8 |
4 |
4 |
2 |
23 |
8 |
7 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
|
WINS |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
4 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
|
PP |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
CHAMPIONSHIP RACES:
10
| |
72/1 |
72/2 |
72/3 |
72/4 |
72/5 |
TOTAL |
Rindt |
Miles |
Hill |
Fittipaldi |
Wisell |
|
STARTS |
4 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
19 |
6 |
6 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
|
WINS |
- |
4 |
- |
- |
1 |
5 |
4 |
- |
- |
1 |
- |
|
PP |
- |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
POINTS |
- |
36 |
4 |
- |
9 |
49 (45) |
36 |
- |
- |
9 |
4
|
|
Date |
Event |
Chassis |
Entrant |
No. |
Driver |
Qualified |
Race result |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19.04. |
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
|
72 R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
19 |
John Miles |
DNQ |
- |
| |
Jarama |
72 R2
|
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Jochen Rindt |
8/+0.90 |
Rtd/ignition |
|
26.04. |
BRDC International Trophy |
72 R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
John Miles |
|
Rtd |
| |
Silverstone (F1/F5000) |
72 R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
8 |
Jochen Rindt |
|
Rtd |
|
10.05. |
MONACO GRAND PRIX Monte
Carlo
|
72 R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2T |
spare car/Miles |
DNQ |
- |
|
7.06. |
BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72B R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
21 |
John Miles |
13/+5.8 |
Rtd/gearbox |
| |
Spa-Francorchamps |
72C R2 |
World Wide Racing |
22 |
Alex Soler-Roig |
DNQ |
- |
|
21.06. |
DUTCH GRAND PRIX
|
72B R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
12 |
John Miles |
8/+1.74 |
7 |
| |
Zandvoort |
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
10 |
Jochen Rindt |
1 (1:18.50) |
1 |
|
5.07. |
FRENCH GRAND PRIX
|
72B R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
7 |
John Miles |
18/+5.94 |
8 |
| |
Clermont-Ferrand |
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
6 |
Jochen Rindt |
6/+1.52 |
1 |
|
18.07. |
BRITISH GRAND PRIX |
72B R1 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
6 |
John Miles |
7/+1.1 |
Rtd/engine |
| |
Brands Hatch |
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
5 |
Jochen Rindt |
1 (1:24.8) |
1 |
|
2.08. |
GERMAN GRAND PRIX
|
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Jochen Rindt |
2/+0.2 |
1 |
| |
Hockenheim |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
16 |
John Miles |
10/+2.1 |
Rtd/engine |
|
16.08. |
AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
6 |
Jochen Rindt |
1 (1:39.23) |
Rtd/engine |
| |
Österreichring
|
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
7 |
John Miles |
10/+2.23 |
Rtd/brakeshaft |
|
22.08. |
International Gold Cup |
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Jochen Rindt |
|
3+1=2 |
| |
Oulton Park (F1/F5000) |
72C R4 |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team |
|
Graham Hill |
|
Rtd+DNS=18 |
|
6.09. |
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72C R2 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
22 |
Jochen Rindt †
|
fatal crash |
DNS |
| |
Monza |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
24 |
John Miles |
|
DNS |
| |
|
72C R4 |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team |
28 |
Graham Hill |
|
DNS |
| |
|
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
26 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
DNQ |
- |
|
20.09. |
CANADIAN GRAND PRIX St.
Jovite
|
72C R4 |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team |
9 |
Graham Hill |
20/+4.3 |
NC-12 |
|
4.10. |
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
23 |
Reine Wisell |
9/+1.72 |
3 |
| |
Watkins Glen |
72C R4 |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team |
14 |
Graham Hill |
10/+1.74 |
Rtd/clutch |
| |
|
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
24 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
3/+0.60 |
1 |
|
25.10. |
MEXICAN GRAND PRIX
|
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
23 |
Reine Wisell |
12/+2.73 |
NC-10 |
| |
Mexico City |
72C R4 |
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team |
14 |
Graham Hill |
8/+2.27 |
Rtd/overheating |
| |
|
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
24 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
18/+6.27 |
Rtd/engine
|
1971
ALL RACES: 17
| |
72/3 |
72/5 |
72/6 |
TOTAL |
Wisell |
Fittipaldi |
Trimmer |
Walker |
Charlton |
|
STARTS |
11 |
15 |
4 |
30 |
14 |
13 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
WINS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
PP |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
1 |
- |
- |
1 |
1 |
- |
- |
- |
-
|
CHAMPIONSHIP RACES:
10
| |
72/3 |
72/5 |
72/6 |
TOTAL |
Wisell |
Fittipaldi |
Charlton |
|
STARTS |
6 |
9 |
4 |
19 |
9 |
9 |
1 |
|
WINS |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
PP |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
POINTS |
4 |
16 |
5 |
25 (21) |
9 |
16 |
-
|
|
Date |
Event |
Chassis |
Entrant |
No. |
Driver |
Qualified |
Race result |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
24.01. |
Argentine Grand Prix
|
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Reine Wisell |
|
5, FL+Rtd=7 |
| |
Buenos Aires
|
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
|
10+NC=NC |
|
6.03. |
SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND PRIX |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Reine Wisell |
14/+2.1 |
4 |
| |
Kyalami |
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
5/+1.3 |
Rtd/engine |
|
21.03. |
Race of Champions |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Reine Wisell |
|
Rtd/ |
| |
Brands Hatch (F1/F5000) |
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Tony Trimmer |
|
Rtd/ |
|
28.03. |
Questor GP |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Reine Wisell |
|
Rtd+DNS=27 |
| |
Ontario Speedway (F1/F5000) |
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
|
Rtd+DNS=21 |
|
9.04. |
Rothmans Trophy Oulton Park |
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
|
7 |
|
18.04. |
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
|
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Reine Wisell |
16/+2.7 |
NC-12 |
| |
Montjuich Park |
72C R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
14/+2.0 |
Rtd/suspension |
|
8.05. |
BRDC International Trophy Silverstone (F1/F5000) |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Reine Wisell |
|
7+18=13 |
|
23.05. |
MONACO GRAND PRIX
|
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Reine Wisell |
12/+3.5 |
Rtd/wheel bearing |
| |
Monte Carlo |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
1 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
17/+4.5 |
5 |
|
13.06. |
Rindt Memorial Race |
72C R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Reine Wisell |
|
10 |
| |
Hockenheim |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Dave Walker* |
|
9 |
| |
|
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Tony Trimmer* |
|
DNS |
|
26.06. |
DUTCH GRAND PRIX
|
72D R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
14 |
Reine Wisell |
6/+1.28 |
DSQ |
| |
Zandvoort |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Dave Charlton** |
DNP |
- |
|
4.07. |
FRENCH GRAND PRIX
|
72D R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Reine Wisell |
15/+3.04 |
6 |
| |
Paul Ricard |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
1 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
17/+3.51 |
3 |
|
17.07. |
WOOLMARK BRITISH GRAND PRIX |
72D R3 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Dave Charlton |
13/+1.95 |
Rtd/engine |
| |
Silverstone |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
1 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
4/+0.2 |
3 |
|
1.08. |
GERMAN GRAND PRIX
|
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
8 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
8/+8.5 |
Rtd/oil leak |
| |
Nürburgring
|
72D R6 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
9 |
Reine Wisell |
17/+20.96 |
8 |
|
15.08. |
AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
5/+0.46 |
2 |
| |
Österreichring
|
72D R6 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Reine Wisell |
10/+0.51 |
4 |
|
21.08. |
International Gold Cup Oulton Park (F1/F5000) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
5.09. |
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX Monza
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
19.09. |
CANADIAN GRAND PRIX |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
4/+0.8 |
7 |
| |
Mosport Park |
72D R6 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Reine Wisell |
7/+1.0 |
5 |
|
3.10. |
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
2/+0.017 |
NC-17 |
| |
Watkins Glen |
72D R6 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
3 |
Reine Wisell |
9/+1.382 |
Rtd/accident |
|
24.10. |
Victory Race Brands Hatch (F1/F5000) |
72D R5 |
Gold Leaf Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
|
2
|
* - Dave Walker used Lotus 56B in qualifying while 72 R5 was
used in qualifying by Tony Trimmer
** - Dave Walker, who was entered to drive the Lotus 56B, practiced
Charlton’s 72D R5 for comparison with the 56B but crashed it so Charlton could
not practice
1972: Fittipaldi & John Player Team Lotus World Champions
ALL RACES: 19
| |
72/3 |
72/5 |
72/6 |
72/7 |
TOTAL |
Fittipaldi |
Walker |
Charlton |
Wisell |
|
STARTS |
3 |
9 |
14 |
11 |
37 |
19 |
13 |
3 |
2 |
|
WINS |
- |
5 |
- |
4 |
9 |
9 |
- |
- |
- |
|
PP |
- |
4 |
- |
5 |
9 |
9 |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
- |
3 |
- |
2 |
5 |
5 |
- |
- |
-
|
CHAMPIONSHIP RACES:
12
| |
72/3 |
72/5 |
72/6 |
72/7 |
TOTAL |
Fittipaldi |
Walker |
Charlton |
Wisell |
|
STARTS |
3 |
5 |
11 |
8 |
27 |
12 |
10 |
3 |
2 |
|
WINS |
- |
2 |
- |
3 |
5 |
5 |
- |
- |
- |
|
PP |
- |
1 |
- |
2 |
3 |
3 |
- |
- |
- |
|
FL |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
POINTS |
- |
15 |
- |
46 |
61 |
61 |
- |
- |
-
|
|
Date |
Event |
Chassis |
Entrant |
No. |
Driver |
Qualified |
Race result |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
23.1. |
ARGENTINE GRAND PRIX
|
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
11 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
5/+0.82 |
Rtd/suspension |
| |
Buenos Aires
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
12 |
Dave Walker |
20/+3.09 |
DSQ |
|
4.03. |
SOUTH AFRICAN GRAND PRIX |
72D R3 |
Scuderia Aldo Scribante |
26 |
Dave Charlton |
17/+1.5 |
Rtd/fuel pump |
| |
Kyalami |
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
8 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
3/+0.4 |
2 |
| |
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
9 |
Dave Walker |
19/+1.7 |
10 |
|
19.03. |
Race of Champions |
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
57 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 (1:23.9) |
1, FL |
| |
Brands Hatch (F1/F5000) |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
58 |
Dave Walker |
10/+1.9 |
9/+1 lap |
|
30.03. |
Brazilian Grand Prix
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Dave Walker |
|
5 |
| |
Interlagos |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 |
Rtd/suspension, FL |
|
23.04. |
BRDC International Trophy |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Dave Walker |
|
DNS |
| |
Silverstone (F1/F5000) |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
32
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 |
1 |
|
1.05. |
SPANISH GRAND PRIX
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
21 |
Dave Walker |
24/+4.31 |
9 |
| |
Jarama |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
5 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
3/+0.83 |
1 |
|
14.05. |
MONACO GRAND PRIX
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
9 |
Dave Walker |
14/+2.6 |
14 |
| |
Monte Carlo |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
8 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 (1:21.4) |
3 |
|
29.05. |
International Gold Cup |
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
|
2 |
| |
Oulton Park (F1/F5000) |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Dave Walker |
|
Rtd/ |
|
4.06. |
BELGIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
33 |
Dave Walker |
12/+1.33 |
14 |
| |
Nivelles |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
32 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 (1:11.43) |
1 |
|
18.06. |
Gran Premio Repubblica Italiana
Vallelunga
|
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
|
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 |
1, FL |
|
2.07. |
FRENCH GRAND PRIX
|
72D R3 |
Scuderia Aldo Scribante |
29 |
Dave Charlton |
DNQ |
- |
| |
Clermont-Ferrand |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
6 |
Dave Walker |
22/+9.7 |
18 |
| |
|
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
1 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
8/+4.7 |
2 |
|
15.07. |
JOHN PLAYER BRITISH GRAND PRIX |
72D R3 |
Scuderia Aldo Scribante |
29 |
Dave Charlton |
24/+3.4 |
Rtd/gearbox |
| |
Brands Hatch |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
9 |
Dave Walker |
15/+2.2 |
Rtd/suspension |
| |
|
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
8 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
2/+0.4 |
1 |
|
30.07. |
GERMAN GRAND PRIX
|
72D R3 |
Scuderia Aldo Scribante |
29 |
Dave Charlton |
26/+27.1 |
Rtd/physical |
| |
Nürburgring
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
25 |
Dave Walker |
23/+22.5 |
Rtd/oil leak |
| |
|
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
2 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
3/+2.9 |
Rtd/gearbox |
|
13.08. |
AUSTRIAN GRAND PRIX
|
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
31 |
spare car/Fittipaldi |
- |
1 |
| |
Österreichring
|
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
21 |
Dave Walker |
19/+2.84 |
Rtd/engine |
| |
|
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
31 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 (1:35.97) |
- |
|
28.08. |
Rothmans £50,000 Brands Hatch (FL) |
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
2 ? |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
1 |
1, FL |
|
10.09. |
ITALIAN GRAND PRIX Monza*
|
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
6 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
6/+0.64 |
1 |
|
24.09. |
CANADIAN GRAND PRIX |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
6 |
Reine Wisell |
16/+2.4 |
Rtd/engine |
| |
Mosport Park |
72D R7 |
John Player Team Lotus |
5 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
4/+0.8 |
11 |
|
8.10. |
UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX |
72D R5 |
John Player Team Lotus |
10 |
Emerson Fittipaldi |
9/+1.919 |
Rtd/suspension |
| |
Watkins Glen |
72D R6 |
John Player Team Lotus |
12 |
Reine Wisell |
16/+3.062 |
10 |
| |
|
|
