After stunning the Formula 1 world in 1977 with the Lotus 78, Colin Chapman's team, based in Hethel, Norfolk, introduced the Lotus 79 in 1978, considered the most technically advanced single-seater of its time. With Italo-American Mario Andretti and Swede Ronnie Peterson behind the wheel, the 79 dominated the season, winning six Grands Prix and securing Andretti the World Championship, while the team claimed its seventh Constructors' Championship title.
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| LOTUS 79, Mario Andretti Jarama, Spanish GP 1978 |
The Lotus 79 was built around an aluminum monocoque chassis housing the classic Ford Cosworth DFV 2997 cc V8 engine, coupled with a five-speed Hewland FGA 400 gearbox. With a wheelbase of 2718 mm and a weight of just 575 kg, the car ran on Goodyear tires and stood out for its elegance, accentuated by the black and gold livery of sponsor John Player Special, earning it the nickname "Black Beauty."
LOTUS 79, Mario Andretti
Montecarlo, GP di Monaco 1978
The project was the result of an elite team of engineers: Colin Chapman (Executive Engineer), Tony Rudd (Engineering Director), Tony Southgate (Chief Engineer), Peter Wright (Head of Aerodynamics), Martin Ogilvie (Vehicle Engineer), and Geoff Aldridge (Chief Designer). The car was an evolution of the aerodynamic research pioneered with the Lotus 78 and definitively introduced ground effect to Formula 1. The key to its success lay in the shaping of the underbody and the long sidepods housing the radiators, which created an inverted wing profile. Thanks to rigid side skirts, the airflow was sealed and channeled beneath the car, generating immense downforce.
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| LOTUS 79, Ronnie Peterson Monza, FP Italian GP 1978 |
The Lotus 79 made its debut in the fifth race of the season and immediately proved superior to the competition, securing six wins in the next eight Grands Prix. However, the season was marred by tragedy: at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, Ronnie Peterson was involved in a serious crash at the start. Although his injuries initially did not appear life-threatening, he passed away the following day due to complications. The race, restarted after the crash, was won by Andretti, who was later penalized one minute for a jump start, dropping him to sixth place.
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| LOTUS 79, Jean-Pierre Jarier Watkins Glen, GP USA Est 1978 |
Already mathematically crowned World Champion, Andretti finished the last two races without scoring points, while Peterson's seat was taken by Frenchman Jean-Pierre Jarier, who failed to finish either race due to technical issues. Despite the tragic ending, the Lotus 79 remains a landmark in Formula 1 history: its aerodynamic configuration was adopted by all subsequent cars, leading to a dramatic increase in performance. However, the excessive speed and risks associated with ground effect led the FIA to intervene in 1983, mandating a return to flat-bottomed cars for safety reasons. The Lotus 79 remains one of the most iconic single-seaters ever, a symbol of an era when aerodynamic innovation revolutionized Formula 1.
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