The similarities between F1’s first and current ground effect greats

F1 returns to the USA at a time when national interest in the series is rapidly expanding, helped by having a US driver on the grid. Logan Sargeant will experience a new level of spectator passion as he attempts to consolidate his role at Williams. This hasn’t always been the case in recent years as F1 struggled in the US; in fact it was a surprise last month when I realised I was attending an event on the 45th anniversary of the last time an American F1 driver became world champion.

September’s Goodwood Revival corresponded with the weekend at Monza in 1978 when Mario Andretti took the title with Lotus, and the car which served him so well was being demonstrated in West Sussex. While the anniversary of that Italian GP always has the sad aspect of the loss of Ronnie Peterson, Andretti’s team-mate, there’s no doubt the Lotus 79 still captures the imagination. It was the last car to earn titles for Lotus but was the first F1 car designed around the aspects of ground effect to win both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles.