Lotus 21

The Lotus 21 was a Formula 1 racing car, built in 1961 by the British Motor Sport Team Lotus.

The Lotus 21 was an interim solution which was derived from the Lotus 20. On one hand, the Lotus 18 was maxed out, on the other hand, the Lotus 20 was built for Formula Junior. There have been upgraded some 20s for Formula 1, but the car was only partially suitable for this racing formula. Added to this was that the British team were waiting for the promised V8 engine of Climax, but was not ready. We therefore had to rely on the proven FPF engine with the ZF transmission.

The tank was like the Lotus 20 behind the driver, the suspension consisted of double wishbones; front and rear of the car had outboard brakes.

His debut in the race car at the Grand Prix of Monaco with Trevor Taylor at the helm. The big moment for the small cars and the Lotus team came at the end of the year when Innes Ireland in a Lotus 21 won the Grand Prix of the USA. It was the first victory for a factory Lotus. Ireland still won four not for the World Cup scoring race, but had to leave the team after the season.

Jim Clark and Trevor Taylor won in winter 1961/1962 at four races in South Africa, then came the Lotus 24

Many privateers, including Stirling Moss ( for the team of Rob Walker), Jack Brabham, Willy Mairesse ( drove the Lotus 21 as a works driver ), Gerhard Mitter and Jo Siffert drove Formula 1 race with the Lotus 21