Great Read: Lotus that should have won Le Mans

Tragic tale of Chapman's creation  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ View in browser View in browser ARTICLES MAGAZINE SHOP DATABASE SHOP ARCHIVE Great Read: The Lotus that should have won Le Mans December 1998 | Mike Lawrence With Formula 1 suspension and a 2-litre Coventry Climax engine, this Lotus Elite was built to win Le Mans but instead was linked with tragedy. Today's Great Read tells the story, while Sir John Whitmore steps behind the wheel. In 1959 the Lotus Elite made a huge impression in racing. Sports car racing was in decline, while GT racing was booming, partly because of the high windscreens the FIA insisted on which slowed the sports-racers. Since race 1.3-litre Elites could hit 137mph with just 110bhp, Colin Chapman figured that one fitted with a 180bhp 2-litre Coventry Climax motor could win Le Mans. READ MORE ADVERTISEMENT Le Mans Classic Legend: 'more modern, more funky' celebration makes its debut in 2026 The Le Mans Classic is going through the biggest shift in its history this year. Robert Ladbrook catches up with the organisers to find out what's new. This summer the Le Mans Classic enters a new era. Several new eras, in fact, as one of the world's biggest and most celebrated historic racing events breaks new ground with an expansion the likes of which we've never seen. READ MORE F1 Matt Bishop Modern F1 peaked in 1991 - look at what we've lost As Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso question the complexity of 2026's new cars, Matt Bishop looks back to 1991 and an F1 season that struck the perfect balance between innovation and joy READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Why 2026 F1 race starts are a problem waiting to happen The removal of the MGU-H from Formula 1's 2026 power units has turned race starts into one of the most technically treacherous moments ahead of the first race, and the paddock is bracing itself  READ MORE F1 Pablo Elizalde Why 2026 F1 race starts are a problem waiting to happen The removal of the MGU-H from Formula 1's 2026 power units has turned race starts into one of the most technically treacherous moments ahead of the first race, and the paddock is bracing itself READ MORE Motor Sport Branded Explore our best-selling products, specially selected for Motor Sport enthusiasts like you. Racing Green Motor Sport Binder BUY NOW 2026 Diary Motor Sport BUY NOW Coasters Motor Sport BUY NOW Le Mans Winners' Cars Motor Sport Poster BUY NOW Flask Bottle Motor Sport BUY NOW Laptop Bag Motor Sport BUY NOW Update your content preferences UPDATE NOW Connect with us We now accept © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine, 18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. © 2025 Motor Sport Magazine, All rights reserved. Motor Sport Magazine,  18-20 Rosemont Road, London, NW3 6NE. Unsubscribe  |  Privacy Policy