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Lotus 21
Overview
ManufacturerTeam Lotus
Production1961
Body and chassis
ClassFormula One
Body styleOpen wheel
Powertrain
EngineCoventry Climax FPF
TransmissionZF 5DS10
Chronology
PredecessorLotus 18
SuccessorLotus 24 / Lotus 25

The Lotus 21 was a Formula One racing car [1] 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 1.5-litre 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.[2]

Scale models and die cast

Complete Formula One World Championship results

Year Entrant Engine Tyre Driver(s) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Points WCC
1961 Team Lotus Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D MON NED BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA 321 2nd
United Kingdom Jim Clark 10 3F 12 3 Ret 4 Ret 7
United Kingdom Innes Ireland DNS Ret 4 10 NC 1
R.R.C. Walker Racing Team United Kingdom Stirling Moss Ret
1962 Ecurie Nationale Suisse Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA RSA 36 (38)2 2nd
Switzerland Jo Siffert DNQ
Ecurie Filipinetti 10 12
Jim Hall United States Jim Hall DNS
Ernie Pieterse South Africa Ernie Pieterse 10
Neville Lederle South Africa Neville Lederle 6
1963 Lawson Organisation Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D NED MON BEL FRA GBR GER ITA USA MEX RSA 54 (74)2 1st
South Africa Ernie Pieterse Ret
1965 Lawson Organisation Climax FPF 1.5 L4 D RSA MON BEL FRA GBR NED GER ITA USA MEX 54 (58)2 1st
South Africa Ernie Pieterse DNQ
Scuderia Scribante South Africa Neville Lederle DNQ

1 17 points were scored using the Lotus 21, the other 15 points were scored using other Lotus models
2 All points were scored using other Lotus models

References

  1. ^ Automobile Year, No. 9, 1961–1962, Page 191.
  2. ^ Automobile Year, No. 10, 1962–1963, Pages 198-199.
  3. ^ Ramsey, John (1984). The Swapmeet and Toyfair Catalogue of British Diecast Model Toys. Swapmeet Toys and Models Ltd. p. 33. ISBN 095093190X.
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