The Lotus 78 during the 2017 FIA Masters Historic Formula One Championship at the Circuit of the Americas
Category
Formula One
Constructor
Team Lotus
Designer(s)
Colin Chapman (Executive Engineer) Tony Rudd (Head of Engineering) Ralph Bellamy (Chief Designer) Martin Ogilvie (Vehicle Engineer) Peter Wright (Aerodynamicist)
Predecessor
Lotus 77
Successor
Lotus 79
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis
Aluminium monocoque
Suspension (front)
Double wishbone, inboard spring/damper
Suspension (rear)
Parallel top links, lower wishbones, twin radius arms, outboard spring/damper
Axle track
Front: 1,702 mm (67.0 in) Rear: 1,600 mm (63 in)
Wheelbase
2,741 mm (107.9 in)
Engine
Ford-Cosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), V8, naturally aspirated, mid-engined, longitudinally mounted
Transmission
Hewland FG400 5-speed manual
Weight
588 kg (1,296.3 lb)
Fuel
Valvoline
Tyres
Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants
John Player Team Lotus, Rebaque
Notable drivers
Mario Andretti Gunnar Nilsson Ronnie Peterson Héctor Rebaque
Debut
1977 Argentine Grand Prix
First win
1977 United States Grand Prix West
Last win
1978 South African Grand Prix
Last event
1978 Italian Grand Prix (Lotus)
1978 Canadian Grand Prix (Team Rebaque)
Races
Wins
Podiums
Poles
F/Laps
33
7
11
9
7
Constructors' Championships
1 (1978)
Drivers' Championships
1 (Mario Andretti, 1978)
The Lotus 78 was a Formula One racing car used in the 1977 and 1978 seasons. It was designed by Peter Wright, Colin Chapman, Martin Ogilvie and Tony Rudd, and was the first ground effect car in Formula One.
^"Lotus 78". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
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