Lotus founder Colin Chapman left an indelible mark on the world of automotive racing.

“Looking at the F1 cars that fought the 2008 season, and the ones scheduled to combat for honours in 2009, it is possible to discern a certain commonality of design.

1. All have monocoque bodies made of composite materials.
2. All have a mid-mount engine, i.e. positioned behind the driver.
3. All have strut suspension at the rear.
4. All use the engine and transmission as structural parts of the car.
5. All have have aerodynamic parts producing downforce to vastly improve grip.
6. All have radiators away from the front of the car, to reduce air resistance at speed.

All of those key design features were brought together in F1 by Lotus founder Colin Chapman, and he did it more than 40 years ago.”

Read more about Colin Chapman’s impact on racing over at Bleacher Report.