Lotus F1

The Lotus F1 Team of the 2010s was the latest incarnation of the long-running Enstone-based squad that had previously raced as Toleman, Benetton and Renault. Adopting the famous Lotus name as a sponsor identity from 2012, the team in black and gold evoked the glory days of Colin Chapman's marque.

Built around the talents of Kimi Räikkönen, who returned to Formula 1 with the team, Lotus was a regular podium contender. Räikkönen won the 2012 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and the 2013 Australian Grand Prix, and the team finished a strong fourth in the 2013 constructors' championship.

Financial pressures eventually mounted, and at the end of 2015 the team was bought back by Renault, returning to works status and continuing the unbroken Enstone lineage.

Lotus F1 was a stylish, competitive chapter in the story of the Enstone team, marrying a historic name to genuine results. Räikkönen's wins and the evocative black-and-gold cars gave fans plenty to celebrate, and the team's lineage continues on the modern grid as Alpine.