>>Lotus 21

Lotus 21

Lotus 21
Overview
Manufacturer	Team Lotus
Production	1961
Body and chassis
Class	Formula One
Body style	Open wheel
Powertrain
Engine	Coventry Climax FPF
Chronology
Predecessor	Lotus 18
Successor	Lotus 24

The Lotus 21 was a Formula One racing car  designed by Colin Chapman. It was a mid-engined design using a tubular spaceframe structure skinned with fibreglass panels, of a more advanced build than seen in the Lotus 18. Powered by the Coventry Climax FPF 4-cylinder engine, it used disc brakes all round.

Used by the works Lotus team and the privateer Rob Walker Racing Team in 1961, the 21 was the first works Lotus to win a Formula One Grand Prix, in the hands of Innes Ireland at the 1961 United States Grand Prix. (Previous victories were taken by Rob Walker's team). Customer teams continued to use it up to 1965. It was soon rendered obsolete by the Lotus 24 and the monocoque Lotus 25 introduced for the 1962 Formula One season.