Why unloved Lotus 76 may be Colin Chapman's most significant car
A wide variety of Lotus cars are often proffered as the ultimate F1 game-changer – but was the Lotus 76 an unusual candidate which trumps them all?
Having leaked its own photo last week, Toro Rosso has become the final team to officially launch its 2018 Formula 1 car.
The STR13 is the first of the new partnership between Toro Rosso and Honda, having run Renault engines in recent seasons.
The car, which was shaken down at Misano last week, will be on track on the first day of testing with Brendon Hartley at the helm, alternating with team-mate Pierre Gasly each day.
“It’s an exciting time for Toro Rosso because we have not had our own engine supplier before,” says Franz Tost, “so to partner with a manufacturer, with the history Honda has, will be great. We also have two accomplished rookies for the 2018 season. They are not completely new because both Pierre and Brendon drove a handful of races for us last year, but this will be their first full season in Formula 1. Both drivers come to us as champions, I’m convinced that if we provide them with a competitive car, they will be able to perform at very high levels.”
Honda’s Katsuhide Moriyama added: “I am delighted that our new car is here and ready for the start of winter testing, having been designed and built to a very tight schedule. That is a tribute to the dedication of the Honda and Scuderia Toro Rosso personnel who have already learned to work very well together, developing the STR13 chassis and RA618H power unit package over the short winter months.
“Now we have just eight days to evaluate our work on the track, in order to be ready for the coming season. We appreciate the warm support from the fans and hope they enjoy watching us compete in this year’s championship.”
A wide variety of Lotus cars are often proffered as the ultimate F1 game-changer – but was the Lotus 76 an unusual candidate which trumps them all?
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