Team Lotus and their founder Colin Chapman were synonymous with F1 success and the grave dangers the sport poses. This is their story in photos.

Though the original team has been gone for almost a quarter of a century, and the man who made them great for 35 years, Lotus and Colin Chapman are still synonymous with Formula 1 excellence.

Chapman was widely regarded as an engineering genius, a man whose ability to push beyond conventional thinking created some of the most significant grand prix cars of all time.

Chapman sporting the famous JPS colours. | © Peter Darley Chapman sporting the famous JPS colours. | © Peter Darley

Under his stewardship Lotus were always innovating – and not just on the technical side. They were the first team to abandon national colours and paint their cars in a sponsor’s livery. Their black and gold JPS colours would become among the most iconic in Formula 1 history.

Ronnie Peterson in the iconic JPS-liveried Lotus. | Sutton Images Ronnie Peterson in the iconic JPS-liveried Lotus. | Sutton Images

But there was also a darker side to the team. Chapman’s cars seemed to fit into one of two categories: incredibly fast, or incredibly fast but apt to fall apart.

The former brought world championships at a prodigious rate – a combined 16 drivers’ and constructors’ titles in 15 years – but the latter could have tragic results. The team was rocked by a number of driver fatalities, including big names like Jim Clark, Ronnie Peterson and Ricardo Rodriguez. Not all were the result of failures, but death seemed to stalk Lotus more than their rivals.

Lotus ace Jochen Rindt became F1's only posthumous champion in 1970. | © Peter Darley Lotus ace Jochen Rindt became F1's only posthumous champion in 1970. | © Peter Darley

Nevertheless, during the glory years drivers were still desperate to get their hands on one of Chapman’s cars. While they could be fragile, they were also brilliantly innovative and as such offered a fantastic shot at world championship glory.

Emerson Fittipaldi was one of many great drivers to pilot Team Lotus machinery. | © Peter Darley Emerson Fittipaldi was one of many great drivers to pilot Team Lotus machinery. | © Peter Darley

Gone but not forgotten, here is how the Team Lotus story unfolded.

EARLY SUCCESSES

Unlike many of his contemporaries, who would purchase a car from a constructor and run it under their own banner, Chapman’s outfit existed to design and build their own machinery.

Innes Ireland scored the first podium and victory for Team Lotus. | Sutton Images Innes Ireland scored the first podium and victory for Team Lotus. | Sutton Images

After moving through the junior ranks the team arrived in F1 during the 1958 season. In 1960 Innes Ireland steered a Lotus 18 to runner-up spot at the Dutch Grand Prix, one of three podiums for the Yorkshireman that year on his way to fourth in the world championship.

Team Lotus in 1960: from left to right, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Colin Chapman and Innes Ireland. | Sutton Images Team Lotus in 1960: from left to right, Jim Clark, John Surtees, Colin Chapman and Innes Ireland. | Sutton Images

Meanwhile the team’s new driver, a 24-year-old Scot named Jim Clark, recorded his first top-three at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Clark on his way to a maiden podium in Portugal. Many more would follow in Team Lotus colours. | Sutton Images Clark on his way to a maiden podium in Portugal. Many more would follow in Team Lotus colours. | Sutton Images

Ireland would earn another first in 1961 when he won the U.S. Grand Prix aboard a Lotus 21. This represented the first race victory for Chapman’s team.

But it was not the first Lotus car to win a grand prix. Stirling Moss had already claimed that distinction by triumphing at Monaco in 1960, piloting a Lotus 18 run by Rob Walker’s privateer outfit. In fact, by the time Ireland won for Team Lotus, Chapman’s cars had already won four grands prix.

Moss takes the first win for a Lotus car at Monaco in 1960. | Sutton Images Moss takes the first win for a Lotus car at Monaco in 1960. | Sutton Images

But from this moment on the spotlight would be trained squarely on Team Lotus.

TRIUMPH & TRAGEDY

For 1962 Chapman had created the Lotus 25, one of the most significant cars in Formula 1 history thanks to its fully stressed monocoque chassis.

The brilliant young Clark was entrusted with the 25 for the 1962 season and used it to great effect, taking six poles from nine world championship events and winning three grands prix.

Clark took the first of his five British Grand Prix wins in 1962. | Sutton Images Clark took the first of his five British Grand Prix wins in 1962. | Sutton Images

Poor reliability cost him the title as Clark was forced to retire in Monaco, France, Italy and South Africa. On each occasion he had started from pole and set the fastest lap.

But when the kinks were ironed out the combination of Clark and the Lotus 25 became unstoppable. In 1963 the Scotsman won seven times from 10 races and was only off the podium once. Clark and Lotus had their first world title.

Clark won by almost five minutes in truly appalling conditions at Spa. | © The Cahier Archive 2017 Clark won by almost five minutes in truly appalling conditions at Spa. | © The Cahier Archive 2017

Halfway through the 1964 season the team introduced the 33. As with its predecessor there were flashes of potential, but it would be the following season before it really showed its brilliance.

Clark returns to the pits after winning the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. | © The Cahier Archive 2017 Clark returns to the pits after winning the Dutch Grand Prix at Zandvoort. | © The Cahier Archive 2017

Once again Clark used a refined car to great effect, winning six times to secure another dominant world title.

The team even had time to skip the Monaco Grand Prix and instead contest the Indy 500. They won America’s biggest race to firmly establish Chapman and Clark as the world’s foremost designer and driver.

Chapman had the audacity to take on the Indy 500, and the brilliance to come away with the victory. | Sutton Images Chapman had the audacity to take on the Indy 500, and the brilliance to come away with the victory. | Sutton Images

The 33 was still being used in 1966 while the new Lotus 43 was developed. Clark only finished once in the new car that season, winning at the U.S. Grand Prix, but the campaign was not a success.

In 1967 the disappointing 43 was replaced by the brilliant Lotus 49. Clark won four times – including the final two races of the season – to finish third in the world championship. Hopes were high of another title-winning year in 1968.

Clark and Team Lotus defined an era of Formula 1. | © The Cahier Archive 2017 Clark and Team Lotus defined an era of Formula 1. | © The Cahier Archive 2017

It was not to be. Clark won the 1968 season-opener but was killed driving for Lotus in an F2 race at Hockenheim. The man who many consider to be Britain’s most naturally gifted driver of all time was gone.

Almost half a century after his death, Clark is acknowledged as one of Britain's finest drivers of all time. © The Cahier Archive 2017 Almost half a century after his death, Clark is acknowledged as one of Britain's finest drivers of all time. © The Cahier Archive 2017

Chapman’s outfit quickly regrouped. New team leader Graham Hill won the two grands prix following Clark’s death and secured the title with victory at the season finale in Mexico. Lotus had quickly shifted from tragedy to triumph.

1968 had brought another significant change: Imperial Tobacco came on board as sponsors and painted the car in the colours of their Gold Leaf brand, the first deal of its kind in F1.

Hill aboard the Gold Leaf-branded Lotus. | Sutton Images Hill aboard the Gold Leaf-branded Lotus. | Sutton Images

1969 saw the brilliant young Austrian Jochen Rindt join the team and score his first win at the U.S. Grand Prix, but in 1970 triumph became tragedy. Rindt led the team’s assault and was armed with another brilliantly innovative car, the Lotus 72, which pioneered side-mounted radiators and eventually the overhead air intake.

Rindt at the wheel of the Lotus 72, which represented a considerable leap from its predecessor. | Sutton Images Rindt at the wheel of the Lotus 72, which represented a considerable leap from its predecessor. | Sutton Images

Car and driver were imperious. When he got the new-spec 72 at the Dutch Grand Prix Rindt began a four-race winning streak.

Rindt aboard the Lotus in which he dominated the 1970 campaign. © The Cahier Archive 2017 Rindt aboard the Lotus in which he dominated the 1970 campaign. © The Cahier Archive 2017

But tragedy struck at Monza when Rindt crashed during qualifying. The Lotus was running without wings so as to reduce drag and Rindt went off heavily at Parabolica. He died on his way to hospital.

Rindt's wife Nina, pictured at Monza the day he died. | © Peter Darley Rindt's wife Nina, pictured at Monza the day he died. | © Peter Darley

Such was Rindt’s advantage that he was still crowned world champion at the season’s end, but for Lotus is was a tainted victory.

Once again the team began to rebuild, this time around Brazilian star Emerson Fittipaldi who took Lotus' first win following Rindt's death.

Fittipaldi quickly assumed the mantle of lead driver at Team Lotus. | © The Cahier Archive 2017 Fittipaldi quickly assumed the mantle of lead driver at Team Lotus. | © The Cahier Archive 2017

Their next triumph came in 1972 when the young Fittipaldi beat Jackie Stewart to the title in the JPS-livered Lotus 72. In 1973 the combination of Emmo and Swedish ace Ronnie Peterson gave Lotus the constructors’ title, while both men were close to Stewart in the drivers’ standings.

Fittipaldi became F1's youngest world champion in 1972, a record he held until 2005. | © Peter Darley Fittipaldi became F1's youngest world champion in 1972, a record he held until 2005. | © Peter Darley

Fittipaldi departed and Lotus struggled over the next few years, despite the best efforts of the gifted Peterson, but began to recover when Mario Andretti joined in 1976.

Andretti made his F1 debut for Lotus in 1968 and returned to win the title 10 years later. | © Peter Darley Andretti made his F1 debut for Lotus in 1968 and returned to win the title 10 years later. | © Peter Darley

1978 was another case of triumph and tragedy. Andretti scored six wins on his way to the world title, while Peterson – who had returned from two years away from Lotus – bagged a pair of victories to finish as runner-up.

But at the Italian Grand Prix Peterson became involved in a crash that was not of his making. Initially his injuries seemed serious though not life threatening, but the Swede suffered a fatal embolism in hospital. F1 was left stunned.

Peterson – pictured here during his spell away from Lotus – was a huge loss to the F1 community. | © Peter Darley Peterson – pictured here during his spell away from Lotus – was a huge loss to the F1 community. | © Peter Darley

LIFE AFTER CHAPMAN

Lotus remained semi-competitive over the next few seasons, but their only win between 1979 and 1984 came when Elio de Angelis won the Austrian Grand Prix in 1982.

In truth, the team could never be the same after 16 December 1982. On the day that Lotus were testing the first active suspension car, Chapman suffered a fatal heart attack at his home in Norwich. He was 54 but had packed several lifetimes into one, from the glory of world championships to the strain of fatal accidents and the 24-hour schedule he seemed to keep.

Chapman's death came before a legal case regarding the DeLorean scandal, which a judge later said would have led to significant jail time for the Lotus founder. | Sutton Images Chapman's death came before a legal case regarding the DeLorean scandal, which a judge later said would have led to significant jail time for the Lotus founder. | Sutton Images

Chapman was replaced at the top by Peter Warr, who had long held senior positions within the team. But while Warr was the natural successor, he could not combine several roles as Chapman had.

Warr led Lotus during much of Mansell's spell with the team. | Sutton Images Warr led Lotus during much of Mansell's spell with the team. | Sutton Images

The team continued to field talented drivers after Chapman's death, including De Angelis and Nigel Mansell, but the closest Lotus came to recapturing the glory years was during the three seasons that Ayrton Senna drove their cars.

Senna won six times in three seasons for Lotus, often mastering tricky conditions to beat faster cars. | © The Cahier Archive 2017 Senna won six times in three seasons for Lotus, often mastering tricky conditions to beat faster cars. | © The Cahier Archive 2017

The brilliant young Brazilian was signed for 1985 and won only his second race with the team in torrential rain at Estoril. He won once more in Belgium on his way to fourth in the world championship, which he matched in 1986.

He went one better in 1987, finishing third in the standings, but it was clear that Senna was headed for bigger things. Lotus no longer met that description and for 1988 he was snapped up by McLaren.

Senna’s win on the streets of Detroit in 1987 would prove to be the last for Team Lotus in F1. - Senna won Team Lotus' final race in Formula 1. | Sutton Image Senna’s win on the streets of Detroit in 1987 would prove to be the last for Team Lotus in F1. - Senna won Team Lotus' final race in Formula 1. | Sutton Image

TERMINAL DECLINE

Senna was replaced by fellow countryman and three-time world champion Nelson Piquet, who scored three podiums in 1988 but none the following year when Honda power was replaced by Judd. His third-place at the 1988 Australian Grand Prix was Team Lotus' 172nd and last podium in F1.

Piquet's career was winding down when he joined Lotus, though the Brazilian did score three podiums in 1988. | Sutton Images Piquet's career was winding down when he joined Lotus, though the Brazilian did score three podiums in 1988. | Sutton Images

Thereafter the team declined into mediocrity. The Lamborghini-powered 1990 car was woefully uncompetitive, scoring just three points, and was the last to feature the tobacco sponsorship that Lotus had helped to pioneer in the sport.

1991 and 1992 at least brought a stellar driver line-up as future world champion Mika Hakkinen paired with future race winner Johnny Herbert. The Finn was particularly impressive in 1992 and helped Lotus to fifth in the constructors’ standings.

Hakkinen established himself as a future star with some stellar drives for Lotus. | Sutton Images Hakkinen established himself as a future star with some stellar drives for Lotus. | Sutton Images

But this was the last hurrah as Mika left for McLaren at the season’s end. Herbert scored the team’s final points at Spa in 1993, the same circuit where they recorded their first 35 years earlier.

The Mugen-Honda-powered 1994 car was uncompetitive and the team were all but broke, leading them to field five different drivers alongside Herbert. None managed any points and the team was wound up at the season’s end.

Team Lotus bowed out at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix. Neither Mika Salo nor Alex Zanardi finished the race. | Sutton Images Team Lotus bowed out at the 1994 Australian Grand Prix. Neither Mika Salo nor Alex Zanardi finished the race. | Sutton Images

THE SINCEREST FORM OF FLATTERY

In the years that followed rumours seemed to forever be circulating that Team Lotus could be revived. In 2010 that finally came to pass when Malaysian entrepreneur Tony Fernandes used the name and British racing green colour scheme for his new grand prix team.

But the situation descended into farce in 2011 when the former Renault squad were bought by an investment firm who held the rights to the name and decided to use the classic JPS livery. Eventually Fernandes’ team became Caterham while the former Renault squad raced as Lotus F1 Team until 2015.

Caterham and the former Renault outfit both raced in Team Lotus colours during the 2010s. | Sutton Images Caterham and the former Renault outfit both raced in Team Lotus colours during the 2010s. | Sutton Images

Of course, neither was really Lotus and fans knew it. The operation that Chapman founded was about innovation and doing things differently. Using the name of a team from the past would never have crossed the mind of a man who saw so much potential in the future.

In truth, Team Lotus and Colin Chapman could not exist apart. © Peter Darley In truth, Team Lotus and Colin Chapman could not exist apart. © Peter Darley

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Images from the Cahier Archive can be found in Formula One: The Pursuit of Speed: A Photographic Celebration of F1's Greatest Moments, published by Aurum. Click here for buying options.

Images by Peter Darley can be found in Pit & Paddock: Behind the Scenes at UK and European Circuits in the 60s and 70s, published by Aurum. Buying options can be found here.