Lotus 102
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| Category | Formula One | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Constructor | Lotus | ||||||||
| Designer(s) | Frank Dernie | ||||||||
| Predecessor | 101 | ||||||||
| Successor | 107 | ||||||||
| Technical specifications[1][2] | |||||||||
| Chassis | Carbon fibre monocoque | ||||||||
| Suspension (front) | Double wishbones, pull-rod dampers | ||||||||
| Suspension (rear) | Double wishbones, push-rod dampers | ||||||||
| Engine |
1990: Lamborghini 3512, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, NA 80° V12 1991: Judd EV, 3,496 cc (213.3 cu in), mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, NA 76° V8 1992: Ford HB, 3,494 cc (213.2 cu in), mid-engine, longitudinally mounted, NA V8 | ||||||||
| Transmission | Lotus / Lamborghini 6 speed manual | ||||||||
| Fuel | BP | ||||||||
| Tyres | Goodyear | ||||||||
| Competition history | |||||||||
| Notable entrants | Team Lotus | ||||||||
| Notable drivers |
11.  Derek Warwick12. Martin Donnelly12. Johnny Herbert11.  Mika Häkkinen12. Julian Bailey12.  Michael Bartels | ||||||||
| Debut | 1990 United States Grand Prix | ||||||||
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| Constructors' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
| Drivers' Championships | 0 | ||||||||
The Lotus 102 was a Formula One racing car designed by Lotus for use in the 1990 Formula One season. The 102 was an evolution of the Lotus 101 and would eventually go on to compete in 37 races spanning three seasons from 1990 until 1992.
Using the 101 as its basis Frank Dernie incorporated the Lamborghini V12 engine that had been used by the Lola team during the previous season. Its use made the 102 the only Lotus to race with a V12 engine. The engine had several drawbacks, principally its size, weight and fuel economy. However, it was believed that the increases in power would offset these drawbacks. The engine’s size meant it had to be located lower in the chassis, which also had to be designed to its widest permitted dimensions in order to incorporate larger fuel tanks. Furthermore due to the engine's mass every component on the car had to be scrutinised to investigate whether any further weight reductions could be made elsewhere.
The departure of Nelson Piquet and Satoru Nakajima the previous season brought in the experienced Derek Warwick and promoted test driver Martin Donnelly to fill the other vacant drivers seat. The inclusion of these drivers, who were taller than Piquet and Nakajima incurred another design compromise as the car had to be taller than was desired.
Team Lotus' manager Rupert Mainwarring confidently predicted that the team would score 40 championship points. By the first round of the championship it was apparent that this confidence was completely misplaced.
Team Lotus were to struggle throughout the season to score three points, its lowest score since 1958. Ultimately this performance was to witness the departure of Camel sponsorship and almost cost the team its existence. Fortunately in December 1990 Peter Collins and Peter Wright headed a consortium which bought the team. Due to the eleventh hour nature of the takeover the team were unable to start the season with sufficient sponsorship. In addition, the planned introduction of Dernie’s type 103 was shelved, the team instead opting to refresh the 102 to B standards.
Type 102B
The heavy and ultimately unreliable (in Lotus usage at least; the Larrouse-Lola outfit found better results having used the engine since 1989) Lamborghini engine was replaced by the Judd EV V8 and the driver line-up was also changed. Mika Häkkinen and Julian Bailey filled the seats vacated by a frustrated Derek Warwick and injured Martin Donnelly. It was apparent that the car was nowhere near the pace setters of the McLaren MP4/6 and the Williams FW14 at the opening round in Phoenix. Häkkinen would go on to describe that during this race his steering wheel actually came off. Bailey’s failure to qualify for the Monaco Grand Prix prompted his departure and replacement with test driver Johnny Herbert for the remainder of the season. Due to Herbert's International Formula 3000 commitments the German driver Michael Bartels raced in his absence but failed to qualify.
The 102B enabled the team to equal their 1990 points total of three points. With increased sponsorship and the delay of the 107 it was to continue racing for the first four races of the 1992 season in D specification. The C specification incorporated an Isuzu V12 engine that had been developed throughout the season but never raced.
Type 102D
Complete results
(key)
| Year | Entrant/Chassis | Engine | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Pts. | WCC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Camel Team Lotus 102 |
Lamborghini 3512 V12 |
G | USA | BRA | SMR | MON | CAN | MEX | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | POR | ESP | JPN | AUS | 3 | 8th | |
| Derek Warwick | Ret | Ret | 7 | Ret | 6 | 10 | 11 | Ret | 8 | 5 | 11 | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | Ret | ||||||
| Martin Donnelly | Ret | Ret | 8 | Ret | Ret | 8 | 12 | Ret | Ret | 7 | 12 | Ret | Ret | DNS | ||||||||
| Johnny Herbert | Ret | Ret | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1991 | Team Lotus 102B |
Judd EV V8 |
G | USA | BRA | SMR | MON | CAN | MEX | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | POR | ESP | JPN | AUS | 3 | 9th | |
| Mika Häkkinen | 13 | 9 | 5 | Ret | Ret | 9 | DNQ | 12 | Ret | 14 | Ret | 14 | 14 | Ret | Ret | 19 | ||||||
| Julian Bailey | DNQ | DNQ | 6 | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||
| Johnny Herbert | DNQ | 10 | 10 | 14 | 7 | Ret | Ret | 11 | ||||||||||||||
| Michael Bartels | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | DNQ | ||||||||||||||||||
| 1992 | Team Lotus 102D |
Ford HB V8 |
G | RSA | MEX | BRA | ESP | SMR | MON | CAN | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | BEL | ITA | POR | JPN | AUS | 13* | 5th | |
| Mika Häkkinen | 9 | 6 | 10 | Ret | DNQ | |||||||||||||||||
| Johnny Herbert | 6 | 7 | Ret | Ret |
* 11 points scored in 1992 using the Lotus 107.
References
- ↑ "1990 Lotus 102 Lamborghini - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
- ↑ "STATS F1 • Lotus - Models". Statsf1.com. Retrieved 2011-07-03.
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