Raced by Team Lotus in the 1978 Formula 1 season, The Lotus 79 was the first F1 car to take full advantage of ground effects aerodynamics. The car was powered by the Ford Cosworth DFV V8 3 litre engine and constructed of sheet aluminium honeycomb, specially strengthened for the pressures exerted on the car by the ground effect. The fuel tank was one single cell behind the driver, moving the centre of gravity to the middle of the car, helping cornering and braking. The 79 was also the first F1 car to be designed using computer design aids. In fact, it was the first F1 car to use computers to analyse it in the pits.
The Lotus 79 was instantly competitive on its debut.
Driven by Team leader Mario Andretti (Car No. 5) and second driver Ronnie Peterson (Car No.6), it went on to win 4 more times in the hands of Andretti, and once in the hands of Peterson, and took Andretti on to become the 1978 World Champion.
#car #F1 #Formula_1 #Lotus #Lotus_79 #Mario_Andretti #racing_car
- Comments