Briton Colin Chapman founded Lotus in 1948. He is pictured here alongside driver Jim Clark, who would go on to win a drivers' championship for the team.
Founding father —
Briton Colin Chapman founded Lotus in 1948. He is pictured here alongside driver Jim Clark, who would go on to win a drivers' championship for the team.
British racer Clark won Lotus' first championship in 1963. He clinched the drivers' crown again 1965, but sadly died after a fatal crash at Hockenheim in Germany in 1968.
First steps to greatness —
British racer Clark won Lotus' first championship in 1963. He clinched the drivers' crown again 1965, but sadly died after a fatal crash at Hockenheim in Germany in 1968.
Germany-born Austrian driver Jochen Rindt holds a unique position within Formula One history. He won the drivers' championship in 1970, despite passing away after a crash at Monza midway through the season.
Austrian ace —
Germany-born Austrian driver Jochen Rindt holds a unique position within Formula One history. He won the drivers' championship in 1970, despite passing away after a crash at Monza midway through the season.
Brazil's Emerson Fittipaldi won another drivers' title for Lotus in 1972. He went on to claim glory once more in 1974.
Flying Fittipaldi —
Brazil's Emerson Fittipaldi won another drivers' title for Lotus in 1972. He went on to claim glory once more in 1974.
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Lotus were on top once again in 1978, when American Mario Andretti grabbed the title. Andretti enjoyed a glittering motorsport career, which saw him also race in IndyCar and NASCAR.
Awesome Andretti —
Lotus were on top once again in 1978, when American Mario Andretti grabbed the title. Andretti enjoyed a glittering motorsport career, which saw him also race in IndyCar and NASCAR.
After withdrawing from the sport in 1994, the Lotus name returned to Formula One in 2010. Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes bought the rights to the "Team Lotus" name.
Lotus lives again —
After withdrawing from the sport in 1994, the Lotus name returned to Formula One in 2010. Malaysian businessman Tony Fernandes bought the rights to the "Team Lotus" name.
After Renault announced a sponsorship deal with the Lotus car manufacturer in 2011, a situation emerged where two teams were competing under the Lotus name. A court case ensued, after which Renault emerged with the rights to the Lotus name for 2012.
Lotus v Lotus —
After Renault announced a sponsorship deal with the Lotus car manufacturer in 2011, a situation emerged where two teams were competing under the Lotus name. A court case ensued, after which Renault emerged with the rights to the Lotus name for 2012.
As a result of the court case, Fernandes' CNN-sponsored team were rebranded as the Caterham team for 2012.
Caterham calling —
As a result of the court case, Fernandes' CNN-sponsored team were rebranded as the Caterham team for 2012.