This Lotus 72 is the most successful F1 car ever

[@leepd1]

I was 12 years of age in 72, and this was THE best looking racing car to me when i was a kid.. the promise of things to come.

[@supercededman]

I was 11. Yeah, that car was important for F1, and a lot of young lads at the time. I cried when Ronnie died in 1978.

[@spencermoore2468]

My main Christmas present in 1972 was a corgi version of this car. It was played with very hard but I alway stripped it down and meticulously cleaned, painted and straightened it back up. I still have it .

[@bob_._.]

That smile when Emmo sat in it.

[@misterdog7]

Don't forget the tear which made it even more special.

[@martinfilardi2614]

Oh man, what memories. I flagged at The Glen, and Montreal when this car was hot. What a song it made. Also when Mario drove for Colin, his focus was so intense. Classic Lotus will never be forgotten. Emmo was fantastic in this clip, awesome to hear from him. 220 on the straight in Montreal with Mario at the wheel. I was 2 feet away corner working, my ears rang for days.

[@lipcovitch1]

Very emotional. In 1972, when I was teenager, I became a motorsport fan because of the great Emerson, brazilian like me, and this fantastic Lotus 72 D. Great memories. Thanks for posting this video.

[@redd605]

Me it was the Tyrrell with the six wheels and livery elf ,and my parents taking me to watch motor racing at crystal palace . when I was small

[@celsofukuhara1794]

Since 1970, these Lotus 72 and Emerson Fittipaldi were the beginning of my fascination for F1. First, the red Lotus Gold Leaf, and then those black ones sponsored by John Player Special. Beautiful and special cars. Thank you Emerson, Thank you Collin Chapman

[@VMX42AUS]

Emmo - what a legend...and a lovely man to boot!!! Thanks to Team Lotus for a remarkable reunion...👍👍👍

[@dirtydave2691]

Beauty. I still have my Corgi toy of this car. My Dads friend Tom was a car racing nut in the early 70's and had the Lotus on a shelf in his living room. I loved that car so much one day he gave it to me!

[@darikdatta]

The car that every modern open wheel car descended from.

[@probablygraham]

I'll never forget seeing the Lotus 72 for the first time - in the red and gold "Gold Leaf" colours at the time. It stood out among the rest of the Formula 1 field like an alien spaceship. Sadly my childhood hero Jochen Rindt died in the car just a few months later. I still think it's the most beautiful Formula 1 car ever built.

[@clanrobertson7200]

The absolute peak/pure raw F1 racing, the way it should be, man and car become one. The old professor

[@Bahamuttiamat]

Beautiful car. Don't get why people think it's the peak, as a knock to today's cars. Not necessarily attacking you, just saying. Modern machines can trace their lineage back to this car. Colin was truly a genius.

[@nicovanos]

If a car today would be as dominant compared to this car then, everybody would be complaining non-stop.

[@Bahamuttiamat]

2016 merc won 19 races in a 21 race season... and yeah people complain like hell.

[@mobius-1503]

Nico van Os facts

[@Unisylvekitty]

@Deep Mind X that may be true, but there is no risk like back than

[@mosca3289]

Beautiful! In our digital and electric days it’s even more important to preserve these mechanical masterpieces.

[@andradejurk]

Emerson this great pilot and man. Congrats to all this years dedicating his life to the cars. Thank you Emmo!

[@word67]

I'm 70 so this is my history as a fan. Magic! Thank you to everyone who rebuilt the car, put Emmo back in it and put this video together so we could all enjoy it.

[@rattlesnake8531]

In these years, at the beginning of the 70's, I was able to experience my first F1 races live. With 14-15 years old I drove with the friends of my older brother to the races in Holland, Belgium and to the Nürburgring (Green Hell) and experienced these legendary cars and drivers. You could go through the paddock, have a look at the cars and if you were lucky you could get an original autograph from a driver. That was a great time, by far not as commercial as today. The last F1 race I saw live on the track was in Spa in 1996.

[@robg521]

Very emotional, thank you for showing this. I was 9 years old at the time, two of my Uncles were part of the team that built the car, one was the chief mechanic and the other was part of the pit crew. As a family we were especially proud with having such a vested interest. Regards to Clive, thank you saying those beautiful words to our family when we met at Hethal for Eddie’s recertion

[@sircharles7323]

Nowadays I miss so much these personalities and these pure machines in F1. Thanks for this great video document!

[@deezynar]

I always had a lot of respect for Fittipaldi. And the Lotus 72 is a beautiful beast.

[@robg521]

Real hands on engineering in those days. My uncle told me that early on the exhaust manifold broke the day before a race, they had an Australian mechanic who was a brilliant welder so they asked him to repair it. They left him with the car in the pits over night and when they came back in the morning he had made a complete new manifold from scratch, while we went off to sleep they fitted it before the race and it was so good they continued to use it for the rest of the season.

[@firebladerider7050]

John player special livery is the cherry on top...love it👍

[@elpistolero9394]

Makes me want to smoke!

[@Xscapeplan01]

Jps cars were all beauties

[@Robert-xp4ii]

A lot of legends from his time behind the wheel. Great to see his emotions as he was reunited with his true love. ❤️

[@threethrushes]

Iconic car. Iconic livery. For two-wheeled friends, MV Agusta - the Italian motorcycle manufacturer - launched the Superveloce 800 in exactly the same livery and that brought me here...

[@johnnymossville]

superb. Emerson holding back tears says it all. What a fantastic tribute to the man and the car.

[@chrisburn7178]

My mum worked at Lotus during this period and when they won in 1972 printed brushed steel plate profiles of the car were made and given to employees, in a typically '70s orange Hessian frame. I still have it on my bedroom wall!

[@knarf_on_a_bike]

I saw Emmo at Mosport in 73. Seeing him in that Lotus again is incredible. The most beautiful F1 car ever.

[@malquezare]

Maravilhoso reencontro do Emerson com a Lotus 72 com o chassi #5 o mais vitorioso e trágico para ele

[@diggerboyce1013]

2 legends. Colin Chapman and Emerson Fittipaldi. Does it get any better!!!!

[@supercededman]

Agreed, but Clark would have to be in the mix. I'm conflicted!

[@ataru4]

I was born in '76 but when I think of an F1 car it's the Lotus 72 I think of. It's such an iconic car and driver combo.

[@maggieo]

From the day I first saw this car as a child, it has been my favorite F1 car of all time. Perfection in form and function.

[@josedacunhafilho]

To really understand how radical this car is, I think you must have had to be there, following the sport before, and during its introduction in 1970. I began following F1 in 1968 as an 8 year old kid, and back then, cars were basically oval tubes with 4 narrow grooved tyres. In 69 and 70 they were still tubes but with flat shelf like rudimentary wings. But all of a sudden, in the middle of the 1970 season, Lotus introduces this car which blew everyone's minds. In the beginning it was like a fantasy, like a movie prop, and no-one believed it could be as fast as it turned out to be. And the rest is history, modern F1 began with the Lotus 72.

[@johnhodgetts6617]

I was already in love with this car from my childhood. Seeing this wonderful story just made me love it even more.

[@Hottiger1818]

Such a beautiful car in that glossy black and gold livery. My favourite. Those were the days.

[@Vanadisphoto]

Most beautiful F1 car to date. RIP Ronnie Petterson

[@supercededman]

I was a massive fan of Ronnie and Mario in 1978, After the big crash (which ultimately took his life), Ronnie was seen sitting upright on the stretcher as they took him to the waiting ambulance. I went to bed that night (Australia) feeling relieved, thinking he'd be okay. I was devastated the next morning when I learned of his death. I cried.

[@Ralph2]

It's a lot of people's idea of what a racing car should be +1

[@mattgn39]

Wonder what was going through his head when he cried a bit. The joy in the greatness that he and the team achieved, or the depth of sadness at the losses in those times? A combination of both?

[@Bahamuttiamat]

Nostalgia. The mind doesn't age like the body. Though old, being in that cockpit must feel like yesterday.

[@amosramirez]

Saudade*

[@MLP640R]

What a racing car should be, indeed, and what an amazing sound...

[@fernandoaugusto5435]

The engine sound is pure Magic! I remember 1973, when i start to watch formula 1! Great Emerson!👍🙂

[@jeffreytam7684]

It’s impressive how most drivers stay in good shape and can still drive pretty well after so many years

[@jeffreytam7684]

Andrew Ongais That makes it even more impressive

[@supercededman]

I watched Emmo in a e-race a couple of years ago. Was against a field of young pups (including Button!), and was a bit slower than them, but was still quick compared to most of us. A real shock for me was seeing Andretti - aged 80) racing in a e-sports event and lapping times very close to the front runners.

[@OhItsThat]

Drivers from the era so special...and so are the cars.

[@ReallyFilthyToad]

Had the Corgi toy car as a child in the 70s, was always fascinated by the sleek, fast looking design.

[@supercededman]

I teared up when watching Emerson tear up. Great man. Colin's son is a lovely fellow, too.

[@KevinACarter]

Growing up, my cousin had a model of this. I didn't watch F1 but knew there was something special about it. It is easily my favorite livery of all time. JPS black and gold on anything looks good.

[@andrewphippsphillips1455]

Was that the Corgi "Whizzwheels" that was approx 6" long? I wrecked mine a little when I took mine to school and pushed it across the playground when I was 7 (1977). I have been lucky enough to find a replacement in the last 10-20yrs and am hunting a second one to make a Ronnie Peterson version.

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

Those cars... they have personality, so much thought, so much art, craft and engineering... they are symphonies on the wheels. Those guys, who created them, they are Prokofievs, Respihgis, Mussorgskys, Holsts, Hindemiths of racing, you name it. Those drivers - virtuosos.

[@kyronrc]

That John Player livery is just amazing.

[@dickfitzwelliner2807]

Best F1 livery ever

[@runswithbears3517]

This was long, long before I started watching F1 (or even born, for that matter), but what a beauty!

[@daremba]

Fantastic car, team, driver, the whole kit-kaboodle...great to see it back on the track and great to see Emerson behind the wheel :)

[@stewartellinson8846]

A time machine - a car that took Lotus four years ahead of every other team. WOW.

[@daveblock1688]

Absolutely stunning! I'll be taking my Elise to The Glen for the Historics next month.

[@mobius-1503]

Dave Block i have a 99 toyota corolla could i join you?

[@chicolittle5409]

Lucky bastard!

[@wayneandrews9298]

Pretentious prick , hope you rolled it ..

[@markdavis2475]

Great film thanks! I remember these cars from my school days, "JPS Lotus", "Marlboro Mclaren" etc. We all had the Scalextric models as well...did I ever smoke a cigarette, then or now? Never!

[@nauq6630]

That’s gotta be one of the most beautiful race cars I’ve ever seen.

[@Showmetheevidence-]

Really cool to look back at a time that when innovation was moving in big leaps forward. Quite the reunion.

[@RobLordJohnny]

you can see the look of emerson totaly change when is in the car its priceless

[@RikiNewtonMusicianSongwriter]

Also ~ The most beautiful F1 car to ever grace the Grand Prix grid... The 72 wins hands down ~ no contest !! Great vid btw !! Thanx. R x

[@Neo2906]

5:00 i love this part of the movie....his face and his smile talks books.

[@valdirribeiro8231]

A primeira vez que vi uma corrida de F1 foi com o Emerson nesse carro lindo. Época romântica da F1.

[@Orcastruck]

Remember bros, there is a song named after this, and it slaps hard

[@camrsr5463]

He got them Grandpa six-pack veins.

[@GuerraXV]

Totally agree. Beautiful gold over black piano

[@nkosirooms9615]

That Nose on Emerson helped the car become more stream line.Haha.Just playing nice car .

[@newlifesolutions3806]

You mean Downforce 2:15

[@nkosirooms9615]

@@newlifesolutions3806 lm sure when he blows his nose while driving the car it helped. HAHA...

[@MrRoblox1377]

Actually got a PC2 league race in this thing tonight. What a handful!

[@Themayseffect]

on PC?

[@sadketchupg]

i cant imagine how many legendary cars were binned and never to be seen again.

[@rafvanraevels]

Most beautiful racing car ever. That leverary.

[@redd605]

Beautiful car see the numbers clearly, the shape everything is so cool

[@brianasciak1668]

Mr. Chapman a genius and made his beauties elegant and fast

[@aeror115]

This thing is beautiful Great vehicles and great peoples🙌 Enjoy the motorsport life 🤙

[@AlejandroPerez-lp6qq]

Me emocioné al ver a Emerson al borde de las lágrimas cuando se instaló en el cockpit. Me imaginé tantas horas de carreras, los pilotos que fueron sus adversarios en pista y amigos. Todo el clima de aquellos tiempos.

[@GeneralLee1961.3]

Great car in a classy appearance! I was very impressed with, when I was a child! My favorite Lotus ❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧❤️🇬🇧

[@pauli5506]

The Lotus 72 and Jochen Rindt were the reason why I got Formula 1 fan in 1970, very sad that Rindt died in Monza!

[@claudiocalarezi2610]

Carro Espetacular... Piloto Brilhante...

[@kevinparker461]

I don't think i heard Cosworth mentioned once, without those lads it would of been going nowhere!

[@ataorkunoguz5451]

That's right

[@johnhodgetts6617]

True, but didn't pretty much everyone else use the DFV at the time? That's what made the Lotus chassis stand out from the crowd.

[@paulelverstone8677]

If there has ever been a more beautiful F1 car before or since, then I've never seen it. The JPS livery just adds to that, I think...

[@mryeast1538]

The black and gold looks so nice on it

[@dvddobson]

One of my favorite drivers

[@peterkolozs687]

The tears in his eyes say it all... 🥰

[@willypro4949]

For those that scream THE MP4/4, unlike the McLaren, this car was used from season to season with literally no change, while MP4/4 was replaced after the 89 season

[@robg521]

My uncle told me that early on the exhaust manifold broke the day before a race, they had an Australian mechanic who was a brilliant welder so they asked him to repair it. They left him with the car in the pits over night and when they came back in the morning he had made a complete new manifold from scratch, while we went off to sleep they fitted it before the race and it was so good they continued to use it for the rest of the season.

[@willypro4949]

@@robg521 that's old F1 for you, nice story

[@sergeymaltzeff2481]

Appearing on the tracks of big prizes lotus 72 has became a new world in car design formula1 the revolutionary car was so successful that it lasted six season in the world cup in each on wich it allowed to take places in the top three in thruth a ungiue achievement

[@mstoops64]

It won 3 constructors championships and 2 driver championships. Don’t know where Chapman is getting the 4 championships claim from.

[@StarFox85]

😂😂👍

[@knowlesy3915]

What a nice man Emerson seems.

[@EdduVanHalen]

Vida longa aos fantásticos Fittipaldi's

[@kevinmccorkle7476]

That car, and all of those drivers were epic! I'm probably just a dinosaur, but today's F1 is no comparison.

[@josedacunhafilho]

Hard to argue when a F1 car raced successfully for six seasons straight. Imagine the McLaren MP4/4 racing from 1988 straight thru 1993! Plus, when the 72 was introduced in 1969 is was so radically different, so beautiful, and revolutionary. Such a quantum leap from the other F1 cars still had the oval radiator duct on the front (and some still had it until 1972) from years past. But truth be told, it only won one driver's championship, and by 1973 it was no longer dominant, although Peterson and Fittipaldi spread out the victories between the two of them, but in effect Stewart and the Tyrrell 006 were a faster combination. I saw this car racing in Interlagos twice; in 1972 (not surre it was this #5 chassis) and in 1973; a wonderful race. Seeing Peterson drive the car was also a joy, for in the second half of the season he was clearly faster than EF. There was something great about the black and gold 72 and the red helmet for EF or the blue helmet for RP, in a sense the same can be said for the Tyrrell team with the plaid for JS and the BBR for FC. Those days you recognised the drivers far away because the graphics in the helmets were very distinct, now days not only the graphics are confusing, but we can hardly see the helmets protected by all the boards and haloes. The driver is so tucked inside the car it is different now, I feel, for you don't get the feeling that there is a person there as much as it did in the past. But, yes, safety first of course.

[@nemorinoeso7581]

They kept it running in 1974 because of the failure of the Lotus 76. This incredibly long career of the car is unfortunately the proof that Chapman was running out of ideas. His last big invention came in 1977, then Lotus went down again. But I have to admit that the 72 was well ahead of time in 1970 and it is one of grearest designs of Formula One history.

[@josedacunhafilho]

@@nemorinoeso7581 Arguably no car in F1 history was such a departure from the norm as the 72 was in 1969. Conceptually and aesthetically it was a shock for the senses; it looked fast and it was fast. Chapman, as much as a genius he was, sometimes he missed the mark, as in 1971, with the idea of putting a turbine in the 72. I'd say the only other person I could compare to Chapman in terms of thinking outside the box was Gordon Murray,

[@SirOliverNorwell]

The day before Jochen Rindt so tragically died in his 72C at Monza Fittipaldi - then a Rookie in the Lotus Team - had a similar accident in practice before the Parabolica. He lost control but didn't put on the brakes and luckily came to a stop between trees beside the track. Had Rindt known that his right front brakeshaft would brake he of course wouldn't have put on the brakes as well. With his fantastic car control chances are that with a bit of luck he would have been able to save his life had he been aware of the brakeshaft failure. Tragic indeed.

[@Miatacrosser]

You can shove your talk about the McLaren MP4 being great. This car is the GOAT

[@nicholashansen1477]

OMG you gotta love the latin drivers, always so emotional and passionate. Just fantastic.

[@mattroyce]

this is a different emotion

[@upsidedowndog1256]

1973 was the year I became an F1 fan. This car had a lot to do with that. Real engines!!! Imagine that.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

@Deep Mind X No but a hybrid is just a powerplant. Formula E for electronics, Formula 1 for real piston engines, turbos are ok. The sound of an F1 engine is what made F1 F1 for Christ's sake! Edit:since 1947-2014.

[@user-mor0777]

Legend

[@g345shaw]

F1s greatest car, not just because of the longevity and number of wins. The design innovations that are now commonplace

[@andrewjenery1783]

I watched some of the Grand Prix's in 72 when I was 8 yrs old, but remember thinking that 'John Player' was the maker or designer of this great F1 car ;) Only years later I realised it was a brand of cigarettes.

[@henriquezingano3804]

very nice video. congrats to the editors

[@LuigiPantaleoni]

Most beautiful F1 car ever

[@aserilomavatu5143]

Not to mention it has a great song named after this car.

[@GUNNERSIGHTZEROED]

How wonderful to see. Thanks.

[@luvyesmusic]

I still love both of you.

[@The_Curious_Cat]

What a beautiful car.

[@michaelskywalker3089]

It is interesting this was always my favourite F-1 car to use during simulations in Asseto Corsa and Project Cars custom races. I never appreciated the history behind this Lotus vehicle until now.

[@AbieKuntadi]

Why there is no racing motorcycle video as good as this?

[@arnljotseem8794]

This car, and this driver was my all time favorites as a young boy. The black and gold Lotus 72 in JPS livery was and is pure sex

[@saleemwaheed9956]

A match made in heaven!

[@felipe96150]

Racing legend.