Lotus 102B F1 car
Designer: | Frank Dernie | |
Engine: | Judd V8 | |
Chassis: | Monocoque made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic | |
Wheelbase: | 2950 mm | |
Mass: | 535 kg | |
Tire: | Goodyear | |
Petrol: | BP | |
The Lotus 102B was a Formula 1 racing car from the British racing team Lotus, for the Formula 1 season in 1991.
History
Camel cigarette brand had terminated the sponsorship deal with Lotus at the end of 1990, the racing team for the Formula 1 1991 season could not develop a new vehicle. Instead, the team resorted to the Lotus 102 from the previous year back after slight modifications the designation 102B received. The racing car was designed by the engineering team Enrique Scalabroni and Frank Coppuck.Lotus did not have a major sponsor for 1991. Instead, the vehicle was painted mostly in white and British Racing Green. The advertising media included the Japanese construction machinery manufacturer Komatsu, the model manufacturer Tamiya and the clothing company Tommy Hilfiger.
Changes mainly concerned the tail end. However, there were problems with the cockpit opening which was very low, which led to increased air turbulence around the driver's helmet. The monocoque was made of carbon fibre reinforced plastic.
The Lotus 102B was powered by a 127 kg heavy Judd V8 naturally aspirated engine with 3,496 cc. At a speed of about 11,500 rpm, this developed a power of about 455 kW. Engine electronics and ignition system came from Gibson Technology (Zytek). The manual transmission of Lamborghini had six forward and one reverse. The wheels were suspended individually on double wishbones. The brake system came from Hitco and the brake callipers from Brembo. The shock absorbers, however, provided Bilstein.
The Judd engine proved to Lotus for its lack of performance and reliability as a mistake. Nine times failed the drivers at the pre-qualification. The three world championship points were won by Mika Häkkinen and Julian Bailey at the Grand Prix of San Marino. After that, no further countable results could be more retracted by the drivers. At the end of the season, Lotus finished ninth in the Manufacturers Championship.
