Lotus 102 F1 car

Designer:	Frank Dernie
Predecessor:	Lotus 101
Successor:	Lotus 102B
Chassis:	Monocoque made of fibre-reinforced plastic
Wheelbase:	2950 mm
Mass:	505 kg
Tire:	Goodyear
Petrol:	BP

The Lotus 102 was a Formula 1 racing car of the British racing team Lotus, for the 1990 Formula 1 season.

History

The Lotus 102 racing car was designed by the technical director of the Lotus team, Frank Dernie. Dernie attributed the quality of the vehicle, which had been developed from the Lotus 101, with much too short planning and construction time. The monocoque made of synthetic resin reinforced with carbon and fibres proved to be problematic and proved to be not too rigid. The problem could only be solved during the season. A total of five chassis were made. One of the most significant changes compared to the previous year's car were the modified rear end and the larger side boxes. The main sponsor was the Tobacco Group owned cigarette brand Camel.

The engine of the Lotus 102 with the model number 3512 came from Lamborghini. The uncharged twelve-cylinder V engine weighed 145 kg. With a displacement of 3,498 cc, it produced a maximum of about 470 kW at a speed of about 13,000 rpm. To cope with the increased performance and increased fuel consumption, Dernie had to increase the contents of the fuel tank to 220 litres and install larger and therefore heavier oil and water coolers. The manual gearbox, also from Lamborghini, had six forward and one reverse gear. The brake system came from Brembo and the shock absorbers from Bilstein. All wheels were suspended individually on double wishbones.

The Lotus 102 was not successful. Derek Warwick and Martin Donnelly, respectively, Johnny Herbert as a substitute driver for the injured in the Spanish Grand Prix Donnely, tried in vain for good placements. As a result, Tobacco announced the sponsorship of Lotus in August 1990 at the end of the year. Engine supplier Lamborghini also ended its cooperation with Lotus in view of the meager results. Overall, only Warwick could enter three world championship points for Lotus, which meant eighth in the Manufacturers Constructors' Championship.