Lotus F1 "The tobacco years" type 72

[BDA]

Nice, Lou! Thanks!

[Lou Drozdowski]

Hypnotized...

First...count the guys, then the gals, and then... find out where to put your hands.

[BDA]

Not enough women... But a great looking car!

[Bainford]

Interesting photo.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Interesting photo.

Trevor...Look at the face of the dude behind the chick, he's certainly not thinking about cars. I would imagine more like a......bottom end!

[BDA]

Man, you have much better eyes than I do, Lou!!!

Now that I see it, I think you're right. He may be checking out some of the finer aspects of her chassis! 

[SilverBeast]

...or wondering about going for a test drive 

[Bainford]

Interesting photo.

Trevor...Look at the face of the dude behind the chick, he's certainly not thinking about cars. I would imagine more like a......bottom end!

Haha Good eye!

[Lou Drozdowski]

Celebrating 50 years today...

Arguably the most successful formula one car ever created.
Designed by Maurice Philippe and Colin Chapman the type 72's record speaks for itself.

75 races, 20 wins, 39 podiums, 17 poles, 9 fastest laps...
3 Constructors and 2 Drivers Championships.

[BDA]

That is an amazing record that will never be broken!

[Bainford]

Yup, very impressive stats, and good looking, too.

[Lou Drozdowski]

And you thought you had it rough?...try playing second fiddle.

Getting into F1 as a driver is an accomplishment in itself...your teammate has a lot of influence on continuing your career, especially if you drive for Lotus. Take the examples of Rindt and Miles in 1970 and Emerson Fittipaldi versus Dave Walker in 72.

Mind you, with the equipment being somewhat equal, Miles scored only two points while Jochen amassed forty five. Competing in all events together in 1972, Fittipaldi tallied 66 to zero for Walker. Both Rindt and Emerson won the championship respectively those two seasons.

If you go back a few years...Jim Clark outpaced Trevor Taylor, 73/2...winning seven out of ten races in 1963.

Makes you thing about being a #2 under Mr. Chapman
 

[BDA]

Those were pretty lopsided but sometimes being #2 wasn't that bad at Lotus: Clark and Hill, Andretti and Peterson.

[Lou Drozdowski]

Those were pretty lopsided but sometimes being #2 wasn't that bad at Lotus: Clark and Hill, Andretti and Peterson.

Have to agree with Clark & Hill...the dream team, but remember Jim was well established within the team and although Hill had won a championship elsewhere, his key role was  development. This was also true with Andretti later on, Peterson was well suited and carried on the 72 for quite some time as #1....

Mario, meanwhile was waiting for the chance to go back to F1, having USAC and Indy fighting in the backdrop...asked Chapman for a permanent ride. Peterson was unhappy with the type 76 failure and was off to the  Tyrell P34 project.

It was only later when Mario was clearly suited to lead the efforts, by having brought the types 77 & 78  ground effects design forward.  Peterson rejoined, and by the introduction of the type 79 was regarded as coequal with Andretti.


   

[BDA]

My comment may have stretched the definition of #2 driver but I understood that occasionally Ronnie was requested (ordered?) to not pass Mario. Maybe I misunderstood...