Proton and the Lotus Heritage: Can They Truly Lay Claim to It?

I am sure that Proton make very fine cars. Their advertising says they do. Not that I would buy one, or wish to be seen dead in one. Actually, I don't know if they make hearses.

My antipathy to Proton is based entirely on their venture into F1.

Having purchased the last of Renault's shares in the Renault F1 team, Proton have re-branded it as Lotus-Renault. There are court hearings in progress that will ultimately determine legal rights to the Lotus name, but the court of F1 fan opinion has already returned a verdict highly unfavourable to Proton and other pretenders to the Lotus heritage.

That heritage is magnificent and formidable.

Lotus cars were founded by Colin Chapman, a man who totally revolutionised the design of F1 cars in the 1960s and 1970s. Chapman brought together a number of concepts that still form the essential design of every car on the F1 grid.

1. Monocoque bodies made of composite materials.

2. A mid-mount engine, i.e. positioned behind the driver.

3. Strut suspension at the rear—still called a Chapman strut.

4. The engine and transmission are structural parts of the car, with other components attached.

5. Aerodynamic surfaces producing downforce to vastly improve grip.

6. Radiators placed away from the front of the car to reduce air resistance at speed.

The Lotus team won seven F1 constructors titles, and six drivers titles. Chapman's drivers included Mario Andretti, Graham Hill, Jim Clark, Jochen Rindt and Emerson Fittipaldi.

That is the magic of Lotus, which for F1 fans is forever entwined with the name of Colin Chapman.

For Proton to come into F1 claiming part of the magic is in my view to insult the memory of one of the sport's great men. It is offensive to all true F1 fans, and I for one hope that they are rewarded with total failure.

And how embarrassing to the unfortunate drivers, to be cruising the world's F1 circuits in livery that was designed 40 years ago to resemble a cigarette packet.

Here's my advice to Proton.

Build your own legends, and create your own memorable history. Have a little pride, why don't you?