LOTUS
TYPE 18
The one that brought Lotus its first-ever F1 victory
SIMPLICITY WRITING HISTORY
LOTUS TYPE 18: THE CAR THAT DELIVERED LOTUS’ FIRST F1 VICTORY
CLASSIC
CHAPMAN DESIGN
The Lotus Type 18 was extremely light and simple. Its aluminium body was made up of lightweight panels, bolted to a heavily-triangulated tube frame — developed in just 5 weeks from the drawing board.
THE ENGINEERING
LOTUS TYPE 18 ENGINEERING PRINCIPLES
THE RACING YEARS
LOTUS TYPE 18 IN FORMULA 1 AND FORMULA JUNIOR
Lotus Type 18 debuted at a Brands Hatch meeting on Boxing Day 1959. It was introduced for the 1960 F1, F2 and FJ seasons, with about 27 examples of the F1 and F2 versions and 110 of the FJ versions. The 1960 Argentine Grand Prix marked the official debut of the Type 18 Formula One.
With its remarkably good handling and unique suspension system, the Lotus 18 quickly proved to be faster than any car Grand Prix racing had ever seen.
The 18 was replaced by the Lotus 21 in Formula One and the Lotus 20 in Formula Junior in 1961.
THE ACCOMPLISHMENTS
STIRLING MOSS AND LOTUS’ FIRST FORMULA 1 WIN
That maiden race on Boxing Day ‘59 wasn’t the most promising start, with the 18 finishing seventh. Performances quickly improved, and with three new Team Lotus drivers competing during the 1960 Formula Junior season, the car won almost every UK race it entered.
Today, the Lotus Type 18 is best remembered as a Formula 1 car – also in 1960 – and for its association with the late Sir Stirling Moss, who took the first-ever F1 victory for a Lotus car.
First-ever Formula 1 victory
At a rain-affected Monaco GP he drove relentlessly through the city streets to take the chequered flag by almost a minute from Bruce McLaren. Moss also won the US Grand Prix at the end of the season, securing the 2nd place for Lotus in the constructor’s championship.
1961 proved to be equally successful. Moss repeated his Monaco win, won at the Nürburgring, while Innes Ireland Lotus 18 took a 3rd win in the USA — helping Lotus finish 2nd in the constructor’s championship once again.
THE DRIVERS
LEGENDS BEHIND THE LOTUS 18
The Lotus 18 seated an impressive lineup of British drivers, with the likes of Stirling Moss, Innes Ireland and Alan Stacey. While the 18 is also notable for giving a certain Jim Clark his first Grand Prix start in 1960.
Last but not least, the 18 is notable for Jim Clark’s Lotus debut in his first Grand Prix start in 1960 at the Dutch Grand Prix in Zandvoort.
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