This book, the first in Evro's new Formula 1 Greats series, covers one
of the most revered Formula 1 cars ever made. Introduced in 1970, the
wedge-shaped Lotus 72 competed for six seasons, winning 20 World
Championship Grands Prix, two Drivers' titles (for Jochen Rindt in 1970
and Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972) and three Constructors' titles (in 1970,
1972 and 1973), racing first in Lotus's evocative red, white and gold
livery, then the equally eye-catching black and gold of the John Player
Special period. Pete Lyons, Autosport's renowned Formula 1 reporter
for part of the Lotus 72 era, explores the car's entire race-by-race
career in his insightful commentary accompanying a magnificent array of
more than 300 photos.
- The 1970 season: after troubled early development, the 72 finally
took over from the long-serving 49, its four consecutive race wins
enough to secure the World Championship for Jochen Rindt, posthumously
after his death during practice for the Italian Grand Prix.
- The 1971 season: with promising youngster Emerson Fittipaldi
elevated to team leader after Rindt's death, great things were
expected of the 72's second season but it proved to be winless.
- The 1972 season: now in black and gold John Player livery, the 72
became far more competitive and Fittipaldi's four Grand Prix victories
made him World Champion.
- The 1973 season: Ronnie 'SuperSwede' Peterson joined Fittipaldi to
form a dream team and together they won seven races, but because
Lotus's spoils were divided between the two drivers Jackie Stewart was
able to come through to become World Champion.
- The 1974 season: still the 72 soldiered on, now as the fall-back
car after its successor, the 76, failed to deliver; partnered by Jacky
Ickx, Peterson won three Grands Prix.
- The 1975 season: well beyond its sell-by date, the 72 did a final
season but by now it was far from effective, with Ickx's second place
in the tragic Spanish Grand Prix its best result.
