Lotus 91

The Lotus 91 was a car used by the English team Lotus in the 1982 Formula One season, designed by Colin Chapman, Martin Ogilvie and Tony Rudd. After several uncompetitive seasons with experimental or uncompetitive cars, Colin Chapman went back to basics and designed the Lotus 91, based in part on the Williams FW07 and Lotus' own 88 design. Powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV and using a standard Hewland gearbox, the 91 was uncomplicated and easy to maintain. Following Brabham's lead, the new car was the first Lotus chassis to use carbon brakes, improving braking performance considerably.

Lotus 91
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLotus
Designer(s)Colin Chapman
Martin Ogilvie
Predecessor87B
Successor92
Technical specifications[2]
ChassisCarbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
EngineCosworth DFV, 2,993 cc (182.6 cu in), 90° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionLotus / Hewland 5-speed manual
FuelValvoline
TyresPirelli
Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsJohn Player Team Lotus
Notable drivers11. Elio de Angelis
12. Nigel Mansell
12. Roberto Moreno
12. Geoff Lees
Debut1982 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
151200
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

After a design study by Chapman into new composite materials, the decision was taken to build the car in carbon fibre and kevlar, making it after the McLaren MP4/1 the second F1 car to race to be built from the material - the Lotus 86/88 not having raced because it was banned.[3]

Under the direction of Peter Warr, the team worked hard to make the car as competitive as possible. The lightweight chassis gave the 91 a fighting chance against the far more powerful turbo engined cars and Cosworth worked on a short stroke version of the DFV purely for Lotus' use.[4] The sidepods full length units, extending to the very back of the car to take full advantage of the ground effect aerodynamics. However the 91 was quite pitch sensitive, making it tricky to drive.[5] The Lotus 91 was the basis for the Lotus 92 - which pioneered active suspension in Formula 1. This suspension was revolutionary, using an on-board system to control the ride height and behaviour of the suspension, thus the Lotus 92 was the first car to be fitted with active suspension. The system was partially controlled by computers but at this early stage was mostly operated by hydro-pneumatic valves.[6] Elio de Angelis used the car well but found the 91 was mostly competitive on ultra fast tracks like Hockenheim, Monza and the Österreichring. The latter track provided a thrilling final lap win for De Angelis against Keke Rosberg in the Williams.[7] That as well as several other podium places helped the team to fifth in the final standings in 1982, before ground effects were banned for the 1983 Formula One season and the 91 was replaced by the first Lotus turbo car. The 91 was the last Lotus F1 car to win a race under Colin Chapman's rule before he died of a heart attack on 16 December 1982.[8]

The Lotus 91 without front wing

Complete Formula One results

(key)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts. WCC
1982 John Player Team Lotus Cosworth DFV
V8 NA		 G RSA BRA USW SMR BEL MON DET CAN NED GBR FRA GER AUT SUI ITA CPL 30 5th
Nigel Mansell 3 7 Ret 4 Ret Ret Ret 9 Ret 8 7 Ret
Elio de Angelis Ret 5 4 5 Ret 4 Ret 4 Ret Ret 1 6 Ret Ret
Roberto Moreno DNQ
Geoff Lees 12

References
  1. MACARONI ammonite: interview with Shunsaku Tamiya - in Japanese
  2. "Lotus 91". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  3. "1982 Lotus 91 Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  4. "Cosworth DFV – Horses for courses". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  5. https://youtube/w8lZFqaEJBM
  6. "Lotus Active Suspension". gglotus.org. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
  7. "Type 91". Lotus Cars. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
  8. "For Sale: 1982 Lotus 91". Motorsport Retro. 17 May 2016. Retrieved 13 December 2019.
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