Fittipaldi to reunite with Lotus 72 at Goodwood
An iconic Lotus 72 has been restored and is set to be reunited with Emerson Fittipaldi at this week’s Goodwood Speedweek.
The car, chassis 7, was raced in 19 Formula 1 grands prix by the Brazilian, and powered him to five wins across the 1972 and 1973 seasons (see 8 October Autosport for a special issue dedicated to the 72).
At the end of that season it was sold and was raced in South Africa, during which time its chassis number was swapped with that of 72/3, which had also been sent to South Africa. It wasn’t until the latter chassis was brought back to Classic
Team Lotus many years later for restoration work that its true identity was revealed.
The original 72/7 – which was brought back to the UK in 1989 – was given its correct number and has undergone restoration work to convert it back to period specification ahead of its demonstration appearance at Goodwood.
Classic Team Lotus team manager Chris Dinnage said: “We have now worked on all bar two of the eight surviving Lotus 72s, of which five are presently in our care.
“It really is a treat to be looking after so many of the greatest F1 cars of all time. Furthermore, whenever Emerson drives them again it gets even better.”