base at Hethel, Lotus was at the forefront of charting unexplored aero territory.īetween Andretti’s first stint with Lotus from 1968-’69 and his return in 1976, he recalls wandering into the same ground effects zone while testing the unique March 701 chassis. Outfitting an F1 chassis with sidepods, rectangular pieces of bodywork that ran alongside the aluminum monocoque and engine bay to house giant upswept wing profiles, had been the primary pursuit of every significant F1 team. F1’s quest to harness air in new ways had been in motion for a few years by 1978, and desires to expand upon the use of traditional front and rear wings to generate downforce led the paddock to search beneath the machines for road holding advancements in this new frontier.

In the Lotus 79, victory in an ongoing aerodynamic arms race went to Lotus founder/designer Colin Chapman and fellow designer Peter Wright. With no timeline on when Andretti might welcome a new American to the exclusive club, reveling in all he and the Lotus 79 gave us-a car that transformed racing through its high-downforce ‘ground effects’ underwing-feels like a fine way to welcome the new year.

At 78, Mario’s aging crown was earned more than half a lifetime ago. In Andretti, we have a man who represents our finest achievements and the vacuum of talent or opportunity that’s followed. The last American to win a grand prix championship also holds a second distinction of being the last to win an F1 race. And yet, the distance between his season of F1 glory and the absence of an American successor over the last 40 years continues to weigh on the Andretti family patriarch. Arguably the greatest driver of all time, a winner at the Indy 500, Daytona 500, and 24 Hours of Le Mans, Andretti’s eyes warm at the mention of his F1 achievement. The man who delivered that title for America both loves and laments that fact. We’ve celebrated their union, one that produced a world championship for Mario Andretti and the pioneering Lotus 79 chassis, with immense pride ever since.

The perfect Formula 1 car met the perfect driver in 1978.

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