LOTUS 77
LOTUS 77
TECHNICAL DATA
Year build
Category
Designer
1977
Formula One
Colin Chapman
Ralph Bellamy
Martin Ogilvie
Chassis
Engine
Power
Transmission
Tires
Aluminium monocoque
Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8
natuarally aspirated,
mid-mounted
485 hp @ 10.600 rpm
Hewland FG400 5 speed m.
Goodyear
Drivers
Mario Andretti
Bob Evans
Gunnar Nilsson
Ronnie Peterson
TECHNICAL DATA
Year build
Category
Designer
1974
Formula One
Colin Chapman
Ralph Bellamy
Chassis
Engine
Power
Transmission
Tires
Aluminium monocoque Cosworth DFV 2993cc V8
natuarally aspirated,
mid-mounted
465 hp @ 10.800 rpm Hewland-Lotus 5 speed Goodyear
Drivers
Jackie Ickx
Ronnie Peterson
History
After a slow start to the season, the Lotus 77 proved to be best of the rest behind Ferrari, McLaren and Tyrrell. Andretti worked hard to develop the car, and from mid season onwards, the 77‘s performance picked up. It was however best suited to tracks with long corners such as Anderstorp, where Andretti led easily before engine failure put him out. At Zandvoort and Mosport Park tracks he finished on the podium.
Colin Chapman vetoed Andretti‘s request to race the Lotus 78 at Zandvoort, so Mario reluctantly raced the 77 until the end of the season. The final race was run in monsoon conditions at Fuji Speedway in Japan. Andretti‘s car was very well set-up for the track, with the car set to its narrowest width and with virtually flat rear wing. Andretti drove a clever tactical race to win by a lap from Patrick Depailler and new world champion James Hunt. Andretti was glad to put the 77 aside to concentrate on developing the 78 for the 1977 Formula One season.