Team Lotus throws in the towel

©Neil White

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©Neil White

During its heyday in F1, Colin Chapman's Team Lotus was arguably the only outfit in the sport whose notoriety practically equaled that of Ferrari.

But it all came to a sad end on this day in 1995, when the beleaguered Hethel-based team announced its withdrawal from Formula 1, its Type 112 car seen here at Ketteringham Hall in a virtual image never turning a wheel.

The rights to the Lotus name in F1 later changed hands, passing from former driver David Hunt - James Hunt's brother - to Tony Fernandes, while Genii Capital and Group Lotus announced an alliance that confusingly put two teams using the Lotus name on the grid for the 2011 season!

In 2012, Lotus-Renault GP was given the rights to the Lotus name and was renamed Lotus F1, whereas Fernandes' team was renamed Caterham F1 following his purchase of Caterham Cars.

'Lotus F1 Team' was active for 4 seasons, from 2012 to 2015, and even won two races with Kimi Raikkonen before the Enstone outfit was returned to Renault from 2016.

Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.