Lotus 80

The Lotus 80 was a Formula 1 racing car, the Lotus in 1979 started in the World Cup.

The Lotus 80 was designed and developed by Colin Chapman, Martin Ogilvie, Peter Wright and Tony Rudd and should replace the successful 1979 Lotus 79. The designers tried to ground effect even more effective and failed. The side parts - and the aprons that made the ground effect only possible - were pulled in one sweep over the rear wheels to the rear. The rear wing was an integral part of the chassis and positioned so low that it hardly extended beyond the motor cover. Due to the aerodynamic shape of the bodywork of the Cosworth V8 engine was used optimally.

The car had also under the nose aprons that abschliffen rapidly while driving. After the first test drives the shelter flaps were again removed and replaced by a conventional front end. But the biggest problem was the main aprons. Mario Andretti reported after the test drives that although the racing cars have good driving, in the turns but was extremely restless. The skirts began when driving through the force of gravity to swing under the car, which meant that the suction was repeatedly interrupted. To drive especially on curve increases was dangerous. Despite many test drives this phenomenon could not be completely eliminated.

Nevertheless, the Lotus 80 at the wheel its race debut, who promptly reached the third place in the car was at the Grand Prix of Spain with Andretti. After the races in Belgium and Monaco was the 80 but pulled back to be revised. When it turned out that the dangerous effect could not stop, the team opted not to go further and resorted to the proven Lotus 79. The second factory driver Carlos Reutemann had rejected a race participation with the 80 and was always driven with the 79.

The Lotus 80 was the first Lotus Formula 1 racing cars since 1972 who was not black and gold painted. The sponsorship deal with John Player Special was not renewed and the Lotus cars were again British Racing Green. Then there was the logo of the new main sponsor Martini & Rossi.