So assured was Team Lotus of the Type 79's dominance that it used to print 'win' stickers for the car ahead of races so they could be applied in front of the rival Ferrari team. The car was able to lap two seconds faster than the previous year's Type 78 and represented the ultimate incarnation of the ground effect era grand prix racers.
APR 04th 2016
Video: 'Black Beauty' The Lotus 79 That Dominated F1
One-two victories were unusual back then, but not for the 79. Its spring-loaded side skirts and small rear wing made it very quick indeed both on the straights and around corners, and its rivals didn't have much of an answer for it. Clive Chapman talks us through the car in the video above.
Related articles
-
&width=75)
Video: Lotus 79 visor-cam gloriousness
Read more -
Video: On board with Mario Andretti in his Lotus 79, dodging stones from the Brabham fan car
Read more -
Video: Clive Chapman on the discovery of ground-effect aerodynamics at Lotus
Read more -
&width=75)
Thank Frankel it's Friday: The ultimate Formula 1 fairytale
Read more
&width=75&fastscale=false)
Join our motorsport community
Get closer to motorsport at Goodwood! Join the GRRC Fellowship to be first in the queue for event tickets, to attend the GRRC-only Members' Meeting and to enjoy year-round, exclusive benefits.
&width=75)
&width=75)
&width=75)