Lotus E21

Lotus E21
Kimi Räikkönen driving the E21 during the free practice session at the Malaysian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLotus
Designer(s)James Allison (Technical Director)[1]
Nick Chester (Deputy Technical Director)
Martin Tolliday (Chief Designer)
Simon Virrill (Project Leader)
Jarrod Murphy (Head of CFD)
Dirk de Beer (Head of Aerodynamics)
Dave Wheater (Chief Aerodynamicist)
PredecessorLotus E20
SuccessorLotus E22
Technical specifications[2][3]
ChassisMoulded carbon fibre and aluminium honeycomb composite monocoque, manufactured by Lotus F1 Team and designed for maximum strength with minimum weight. Installing the engine as a fully stressed member.
Suspension (front)Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones operate an inboard rocker via a pushrod system. This is connected to a torsion bar and damper units which are mounted inside the front of the monocoque.
Suspension (rear)Carbon fibre top and bottom wishbones with pull rod operated torsion springs and transverse-mounted damper units mounted in the top of the gearbox casing.
EngineRenault RS27-2013 2.4 L (146 cu in) V8 (90°). Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM limited with KERS, mid-mounted.
TransmissionLotus 7-speed semi-automatic sequential titanium gearbox + 1 reverse.
Power750 hp (560 kW) @ 18,000 rpm
Weight642 kg (1,415.4 lb), with driver, cameras and ballast
FuelTotal[4]
Kevlar-reinforced rubber fuel cell by ATL.
TyresPirelli P Zero (dry), Cinturato (wet)[5]
OZ Wheels (front and rear): 13"[4]
Competition history
Notable entrantsLotus F1 Team
Notable drivers7. Finland Kimi Räikkönen[6]
7. Finland Heikki Kovalainen
8. France Romain Grosjean[7]
Debut2013 Australian Grand Prix
First win2013 Australian Grand Prix
Last win2013 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2013 Brazilian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
1911402

The Lotus E21[8] is a Formula One racing car designed and built by the Lotus F1 team for use in the 2013 championship.[1] The chassis was designed by James Allison, Nick Chester, Martin Tolliday and Dirk de Beer with Renault supplying the team's engines. The car was driven by 2007 World Champion Kimi Räikkönen and Romain Grosjean,[6][7] both of whom remained with the team after competing in 2012. The E21 was the first of the 2013 season cars to be launched.[9]

  1. ^ a b Collantine, Keith (28 January 2013). "Allison expects rivals' cars to have stepped noses". F1 Fanatic. Keith Collantine. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  2. ^ "Lotus F1 Team :: Chassis E20". Archived from the original on 11 May 2012. Retrieved 27 May 2012.
  3. ^ "Lotus E21 - F1technical.net".
  4. ^ a b "Lotus E21 laser presentation". F1 Fanatic YouTube channel. YouTube. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  5. ^ Noble, Jonathan; Beer, Matt (11 December 2013). "F1 teams expert enough to avoid early tyre struggles — Ross Brawn". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  6. ^ a b "Kimi Raikkonen re-signs with Lotus for 2013". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 29 October 2012. Retrieved 29 October 2012.
  7. ^ a b "Romain Grosjean will stay at Lotus for 2013 F1 season". Autosport.com. Haymarket Publications. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 17 December 2012.
  8. ^ "@Lotus_F1Team: 16 January". Twitter. Twitter, Inc. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 17 January 2013.
  9. ^ Beer, Matt (23 January 2013). "Lotus to unveil 2013 F1 car via YouTube channel on 28 January". Autosport. Haymarket Media Group. Retrieved 24 January 2013.