Lotus 94T

Lotus 94T

Category Formula One
Constructor Lotus
Designer(s) Gérard Ducarouge
Martin Ogilvie
Predecessor 93T
Successor 95T
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis Carbon fibre and Kevlar monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbones, pull rod, coil springs
Suspension (rear) Double wishbones, pull rod, coil springs
Axle track Front: 1,816 mm (71 in)
Rear: 1,664 mm (66 in)
Wheelbase 2,654 mm (104 in)
Engine Renault Gordini EF1, 1,492 cc (91.0 cu in), 90° V6, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Lotus / Hewland 5-speed manual
Weight 545 kg (1,202 lb)
Fuel Elf
Tyres Pirelli
Competition history
Notable entrants John Player Team Lotus
Notable drivers 11. Italy Elio de Angelis
12. United Kingdom Nigel Mansell
Debut 1983 British Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF.Laps
70111
Constructors' Championships 0
Drivers' Championships 0

The Lotus 94T was a Formula One racing car used by Team Lotus in the second part of the 1983 Formula One season. The car was powered by the Renault Gordini EF1 V6 turbo engine, and ran on Pirelli tyres. The car was designed and built in only six weeks by incumbent designer Gérard Ducarouge, who was brought into the team by boss Peter Warr in an attempt to stave off the uncompetitiveness of the previous Lotus cars.

The car featured a lower, slimmer monocoque with improved weight distribution over its predecessor. The 94T made its debut at the 1983 British Grand Prix and proved to be competitive in the hands of Nigel Mansell, who came home fourth in the race, and Elio de Angelis, and provided an upswing in form for the Lotus team which would carry them into the 1984 season with a developed version of the car. Its best result was a third place at the 1983 European Grand Prix with Mansell, who also claimed fastest lap in the race, while De Angelis won the pole position. De Angelis had the lion's share of bad luck, and scored only two points with the car, but Mansell made it into the top six on several occasions, and finished the season with 12 points to his credit.

Gallery
A Lotus 94T of Nigel Mansell at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed 
Mansell in his 94T at the 1983 British Grand Prix 
Elio De Angelis driving the 94T at the 1983 Dutch Grand Prix 

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Points WCC
1983 John Player Team Lotus Renault Gordini EF1
V6 tc
P BRA USW FRA SMR MON BEL DET CAN GBR GER AUT NED ITA EUR RSA 11* 8th
Elio de Angelis Ret Ret Ret Ret 5 Ret Ret
Nigel Mansell 4 5 Ret 8 3 Ret

* Lotus also used the 92 and 93T models in 1983 but scored all points with the 94T; for the German Grand Prix Mansell used the 94T in practice but used the 93T in the race

References

  1. "1984 Lotus 95T Renault - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
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