Lotus 101 F1 OW 1989

Specifications Lotus 101 F1 OW 1989 blueprint

The Lotus 101 F1 OW 1989 was arguably one of the most iconic Formula One cars of the 1980s, revolutionizing the way racecars were produced and how much engineering they required. Built by Colin Chapman and Tony Rudd of the legendary Lotus marque, the 101 was the last car developed before Chapman's untimely death. Externally, the 101 had an aerodynamic and sleek look, with a black cockpit and a distinctive teardrop-shaped air scooper which helped its aerodynamic performance. The teardrop scooper also gave the car its distinctive 'thundercat' nickname, which has been applied to all Lotus racecars since. The car was powered by a 3.5L V8 Cosworth DFV engine, allowing for a tremendous amount of power output and outstanding acceleration. Despite this, the 101 was relatively small and light compared to other cars of the same era. This lighter weight was due to the extensive use of carbon fiber and aluminum components, which had been pioneered by Chapman in previous Lotus models. In terms of design, the 101 featured a unique double wishbone suspension system, while the car also benefited from an array of driver aids which helped to improve control and handling. The car's aerodynamic performance was impressive, with air-slipping wings and a state-of-the-art stabilizing system. During its lifetime, the 101 enjoyed success on the track in the hands of Nelson Piquet, Johnny Dumfries, and Satoru Nakajima. 1984 saw the 101 achieve a total of 6-podium finishes, and the car's legacy was cemented with its second-place finish at the 1989 French Grand Prix. Despite its spectacular successes, the 101 stands out for its use of groundbreaking technologies, which had not been seen in Formula One for a long time before. As such, the Lotus 101 F1 OW 1989 is a car which will go down in history as one of Chapman's greatest achievements.