Lotus 49

One of the most iconic Grand Prix cars of all time, the 1967 Lotus 49 was the first car to include the engine as a structural part of the chassis. It was fitted with the Ford-Cosworth DFV which would go on to become one of the winningest engine designs in the history of motorsports.

Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jo Siffert and Jochen Rindt all won races in variants of the Lotus 49.

First seen in sim racing with Grand Prix Legends (1998).

The fastest car of the era to have on most tracks, the Lotus lives up to its name well. It’s surprisingly difficult to handle when you’re new to it because of the power of the efficient Cosworth engine. The car can be driven effectively in two distinct differing styles, firstly the most stable style of driving in any car; Where you smoothly feed the throttle in out of the turns usually using a higher gear than you think needed. Secondly, of course is the style most Grand Prix Legends racers develop over a little time with the simulation, this being dependant on your car control; You maximize the throttle at a much earlier stage, then learn to opposite lock and control any power slide or loss of control which may arise.

The latter of the two styles above is obviously the faster for the Lotus, it reacts well to being loosely driven and best of all brakes while turning (trail brakes) with superlative ease.

No setup seems uncontrollable with the Lotus, and when practiced it’s also incredible fun to drive. In the early days you spend a lot of time trying to control over steer you cause with the throttle, later you use it to your advantage – I really don’t recommend the car for the beginner.

Released for iRacing July, 2013: