After dipping their toes into Formula 1 with the Lotus 12, the Lotus 16 was intentionally created for use in Formula 1.
The car was an advancement over Chapmans Vanwall design from 1956, but with the engine offset to allow room for the driveshaft to pass next to the driver. Drivers initially complained about cockpit vibrations, which came true when the transaxles broke apart during races. They would spend the whole season working out the transmission problems. Still using a 2 liter Coventry Climax inline 4, the only other major difference to the Vanwall was the independent rear suspension, known now as "the Chapman strut". Because it used the same Frank Costin designed bodywork, the Lotus 16 was often referred to as a "little Vanwall".
2 seasons of mechanical failures gave Graham Hill a reason to leave for BRM in 1960, and Innes Ireland was only able to scrounge a couple points finishes from the car before the team switched to the much more successful Lotus 20.
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23 сен 2024
