The sound of that Cosworth V-8 will never get old.
From 1958 to 1994, Team Lotus was one of the most influential outfits in all of Formula 1. Under the direction of Colin Chapman, the team was responsible for some of the greatest technological leaps in motorsport as a whole. Thanks to the wonders of modern cameras and YouTuber Robbert Alblas, we now have a chance to hop onboard as one of the first carbon-chassis F1 cars, the Lotus 87, turns a hot lap around the Zandvoort circuit.
The Lotus 87 arrived for the 1981 F1 season. After successfully introducing the sport to ground effect aerodynamics during the 1978 World Championship, which Mario Andretti captured for Lotus, other teams quickly began to master the practice for themselves. The Lotus Type 80 and 81 models that arrived for 1979 and 1980 seasons both failed to implement a worthwhile chassis, with the latter being particularly plagued by too much flex. In order to increase the rigidity of their chassis, Lotus turned its attention to the aerospace industry. From here, the automaker began to develop the industry’s first carbon-chassis vehicle by way of the Type 88.
The Type 88 would debut during a practice session for the 1981 season opener. Unfortunately for Lotus, the Type 88’s “twin-chassis” layout was deemed too radical by F1 bosses, and it wouldn’t be allowed to compete that season. Regardless, it did show up to an event before the McLaren MP4 arrived with a carbon chassis of its own a few weeks later. Unlike the McLaren, the Type 88 utilized kevlar in its chassis construction in an effort to improve strength in a crash scenario. Lotus would reshape the Type 88 to fit the FIA’s wishes, creating this Type 87.
This particular Type 87 was driven in-period by Lotus driver Nigel Mansell, though it never managed a ton of success on track. The Type 87 would enter 11 races, never securing a podium finish in the process. This example is said to be a later Type 87B model, which arrived in late 1981 as a lighter package overall. Regardless of its lackcluster record, the Type 87 remains a glorious bit of kit to behold. Of course, any car finished in that iconic John Player Special livery is worth drooling over. Driver Marco Werner helmed the Type 87 for the hot lap, turning a 1:31.2 in the process. Not that the lap time really matters as long as we get to hear that Cosworth DFV sing. Just listen to that thing rip down the straights.
Keyword: Hop Onboard This Lotus Type 87 For A Glorious Lap