Lotus 87

Lotus 87
	manual gearbox
Weight	587 kg (1,294 lb)
Fuel	Essex (1981) ; Valvoline (1982)
Tyres	Michelin (1981) ; Goodyear (1981-1982)
Competition history
Notable entrants	Team Essex Lotus ; John Player Team Lotus
Notable drivers	Elio de Angelis; Nigel Mansell
Debut	1981 Monaco Grand Prix

The Lotus 87 was a Formula One racing car used by

1981 Formula One season

and in the first race of the 1982 season.

Design and development

The car, driven by Italian

carbon fibre and reinforced by kevlar sheets, since the team felt carbon fibre alone would not be sufficient to provide the chassis with the stability needed. As the John Barnard-designed McLaren MP4/1

would prove, this was a miscalculation.

The chassis was originally planned for the ambitious twin-chassis Lotus 88, but after the car was outlawed, it was hastily rebuilt to become the more conservative 87.

Racing history

The car was not competitive enough to fight for victories, even though the drivers did manage to get some points.

When the new

1982.^[2] It was subsequently replaced altogether by the Lotus 91, which proved more competitive, recording a podium in its first outing in Brazil

.

Formula One World Championship results

(key)

Year	Entrant	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1981	John Player Team Lotus	87	NA	M G		USW	BRA	ARG	SMR	BEL	MON	ESP	FRA	GBR	GER	AUT	NED	ITA	CAN	CPL		22*	7th
					Nigel Mansell						Ret	6	7	DNQ	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	Ret	4
					Elio de Angelis						Ret	5	6	DSQ	7	7	5	4	6	Ret
1982	John Player Team Lotus	87B	NA	G		RSA	BRA	USW	SMR	BEL	MON	DET	CAN	NED	GBR	FRA	GER	AUT	SUI	ITA	CPL	30**	5th
					Nigel Mansell	Ret
					Elio de Angelis	8