Clive Chapman, son of late Lotus founder Colin, has been evoking numerous memories over the course of the last week as the legendary team name prepares for its 500th Grand Prix start in Valencia.
The celebrations began at Norfolk’s Snetterton circuit last weekend, as the modern-day 1Malaysia squad gathered at its local race track along with every Lotus Formula 1 car to have ever taken part in an F1 race.
“Of course the 500th Grand Prix for the Lotus marque is a significant landmark and it was nice that Lotus Racing thought to invite my mother to attend - after all, Hazel Chapman is the person with the closest association to the Team Lotus history,” Clive began. “Much as she wanted to accept, regretfully she decided against it, so I’ll be there with my family representing Classic Team Lotus and my father’s legacy.
“The fact my mother won’t be in Valencia this weekend made it all the more special that she was with all the Team Lotus F1 cars and the Lotus Racing T127 (2010 car) at the Classic Team Lotus Festival last weekend at Snetterton.
“It was a great moment for my family and me to see my mum and their grandma standing at the front of the 35 Lotus F1 cars and then to be joined by the Lotus Racing drivers. The ‘Valencia installation lap’ conducted at Snetterton by the T127 was another highlight of the day for everyone there.
“Much as it is nice that Lotus Racing is celebrating its 500th Grand Prix, I am sure the most important thing about the weekend for the team is that it is another race and the next opportunity to continue to make progress towards the established teams.
“It was exciting to watch Montreal qualifying, when Heikki (Kovalainen) almost pipped the Sauber, and I for one would swap the 500th landmark for the landmark of out-qualifying an established team in normal circumstances. Fingers crossed!”
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