Lotus 78 - Definition and Overview

The Lotus 78 was the car that started the ground effect revolution in Formula 1, in the 1977 racing season. (It was also used several times in the 1978 season.)

By means of ducts and flexible skirts, the air that passed under the car was used, literally, to suck it to the ground. Thus, the raw power of the Ford Cosworth engine was thus only part of the set-up. The 78 created a sensation and revived the Lotus F1 team's fortunes.

Drivers: Mario Andretti, Gunnar Nilsson, Ronnie Peterson

External Links

• Lotus 78 (http://www.gpracing.net192.com/cars/data/341.cfm) - season results; race photograph
• 78 - race and pit photographs (http://www.research-racing.de/Lotus78-G.htm)
• 1/20 scale model (http://www.egan37.fsnet.co.uk/lotus78.htm) and pit photograph of actual car