F1 Historians - Lotus 97T. Help please.

[ferrisbueller]

I've been doing a bit of digging about and there were at least two derivatives of 97T, as below:-



Does anyone know which GPs which versions were used in please? Specifically the version with the 12 further forward, as used in Estoril.



I'd like to know where else it was used. Can anyone help please?

Thanks

[Nicholas Blair]

The top version looks like a high downforce version, so include Monaco in your search

Other would have been low drag - Monza + Spa to name but two.

Hope this helps.

[Nicholas Blair]

In fact, the bottom image is the 'late' season version which featured top exhaust exits.

These changes were incorporated to give the two drivers a late season push for the championship as they felt the car wasn't up to scratch.

[ferrisbueller]

Thanks

Does the side pod change form part of a package for a downforce configuration?

[Stack]

Well for a start the graphic you posted is wrong because the car also had the number on the side of the rear wing, wheras your pic has the rear wing blank.

As far as I am aware there was only ever one config that year ......I could go & consult my 1985 Autosport which would even list chassis no's etc ...

[ferrisbueller]

Stack said:

Well for a start the graphic you posted is wrong because the car also had the number on the side of the rear wing, wheras your pic has the rear wing blank.

As far as I am aware there was only ever one config that year ......I could go & consult my 1985 Autosport which would even list chassis no's etc ...

AFAIK, there was no number on the rear wing endplate, though that could be misinformation. Think that came on the 98T?

Would Autosport '85 have all the info?

[Stack]

The big 12 in front of the sidepod was last used in the Estoril race which Senna won....

It was removed becuase a Lotus laurel victory motif was added in its place to celebrate the victory

The smaller number on the actual sidepod its I believe was added for Monza...

Edited by Stack on Sunday 19th September 21:46

[ferrisbueller]

Calendar looked like this.

1 Brazilian Grand Prix April 7 Jacarepaguá
2 Portuguese Grand Prix April 21 Estoril
3 San Marino Grand Prix May 5 Imola
4 Monaco Grand Prix May 19 Monaco
5 Canadian Grand Prix June 16 Montreal
6 USA Grand Prix June 23 Detroit
7 French Grand Prix July 7 Paul Ricard
8 British Grand Prix July 21 Silverstone
9 German Grand Prix August 4 Nürburgring
10 Austrian Grand Prix August 18 Österreichring
11 Dutch Grand Prix August 25 Zandvoort
12 Italian Grand Prix September 8 Monza
13 Belgian Grand Prix September 15 Spa-Francorchamps
14 European Grand Prix October 6 Brands Hatch
15 South African Grand Prix October 19 Kyalami
16 Australian Grand Prix November 3 Adelaide

Did the numbers move further back after Estoril?

[Stack]

yes definetly to put the victory laurel on the car....

[Stack]

Sorry I meant Autocourse - the yearbook

[ferrisbueller]

So, if this is how it looked at Estoril:



Is this it from Imola onwards?



i.e. were the numbers only on the side of the car rather than the sidepod for two GPs?

As a reference, my minichamps models are the former, per the Estoril win (in 1/12th) and the latter for that "year's" car (in 1/18th)

[Stack]

i.e. were the numbers only on the side of the car rather than the sidepod for two GPs? = correct

But your 2nd pic is from Monza onwards as after Estoril the car had the no on the wing

see below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antsphoto/3148397078/

Edited by Stack on Sunday 19th September 22:11

[ferrisbueller]

Stack said:

no the 2nd pic is from Monza onwards & after Estoril the car had the no on the wing

see below

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antsphoto/3148397078/

Looking at those again, is the De Longhi car a 98T? I think Olympus were the sponsors for the duration on the 97T.

On the 97T above, I think I can see a laurel in front of the 12?

Thanks btw, we're getting somewhere - I'll explain the point in a minute.

Edited by ferrisbueller on Sunday 19th September 22:13

[Stack]

De Longhi is the 98t thats right

[ferrisbueller]

Stack said:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/antsphoto/3148397078/

OK, so that's a post Estoril 97T?

[Stack]

that right ,here is a better shot from Silverstone that year - 85

http://www.flickr.com/photos/brother_ernie/3650900...

[ferrisbueller]

So, Rich......



What do you reckon that's off?

[Stack]

blimey .....

a 98t I would guess..?

[ferrisbueller]

Stack said:

blimey .....

a 98t I would guess..?

Nope, it's off a 97T.

Which I think we've just worked out is from one of two races. Do you know which chassis numbers were used for those races please?

[Stack]

right found it .....

There were 3 new cars ready for Brasil

1) Spare car at Rio, Estoril Imola (raced by De Angelis) and Monaco (De Angelis again) became test car ..

2) New for Senna at Rio, for Senna at Estoril, Imola, Monaco,Spa ,Montreal, Detroit,
Spare at Paul ricard, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Austria (raced by De Angelis), spare at Zandvoort, Monza,Spa, Brands ,Kyalami,Adelaide

3) New for Elio at Rio, for De Angelis, Estoril, Imola (quali),Spa, Montreal, Detroit, Paul Ricard, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Austria, Zandvoordt, Monza, Spa, Brands Hatch, Kyalami, Adelaide.

4) New for Monaco, spare for De Angelis during practice, spare for Spa, Montreal,Detroit.
For Senna at Paul ricard, Silverstone, Nurburgring, Austria, Zandvoort, Monza, Spa ,Brands Hatch, Kyalami, Adelaide.

So your answer is chassis 2