History. Mercedes equals Lotus in number of victories

Lotus
1th victory
Monaco Grand Prix 1960
Nicknamed “The Uncrowned Champion”, Stirling Moss opened the counter for Lotus at the end of an interminable Monaco Grand Prix (nearly three hours of effort). The Briton, however, did not ride for Team Lotus, but the small Rob Walker Racing Team, named after the heir of the founder of the whiskey brand Johnny Walker. The little Lotus with a Climax engine in the rear position delivered 240 horsepower for barely 440 kilos!

81th victory
Australian Grand Prix 2013
Lotus' latest victory coincides with the ultimate success (after the 2018 Hungarian GP) of "Iceman", the fan of ice cream and improbable radio communications: Kimi Räikkönen ! The Finn opens the 2013 season in Melbourne (Australia) with a no-frills and efficient drive as he started seventh. The 2007 world champion, once an outside overtaking expert, even had a cold Lewis Hamilton when braking!

This victory derives from a car very smooth with the Pirelli tires. The E21 had made one fewer pit stop than the rest of the field. “We had no problems with the tires, it was actually quite easy. I had some doubts before the start, obviously, but I knew I had a good car and that I could have a good race.”

Most successful driver
Jim Clark
It's simple, Jim Clark won all his victories in F1 (25) thanks to Lotus. The double world champion (1963, 1965) began his streak during the 1962 Belgian GP and would certainly have continued to pile up the trophies after the 1968 South African GP if his Lotus 48 had not flown away in the trees of Hockenheim (Germany) on April 7, 1968.

Jim Clark © DPPI

Mercedes
1th victory
French Grand Prix 1954
Mercedes only spent two seasons of official presence in F1 in the 196th century but it left its mark on the sport with the concept of faired wheels. The WXNUMXs caused a sensation during its first appearance near Reims (Marne) thanks to a body more suitable for 24 Hours of Le Mans. By exceptional aerodynamics (Cd of 0,43), the Mercedes is faster than the Ferrari for higher weight. Juan Manuel Fangio dominates the debates. His teammate Karl Kling finished second, Robert Manzon (Ferrari, 3rd) was relegated to one lap.

81th victory
Hungarian Grand Prix 2018
Lewis Hamilton gave Mercedes the 81st victory at the Hungaroring (Hungary) with the typical mastery of the automobile champion. The four-time F1 winner took advantage of the rain in qualifying to take pole while his car was reluctant during free practice. On one of the most winding circuits of the season, he led his W08 to victory without any worries.

Lewis Hamilton © DPPI / Florent Gooden

Most successful driver
Lewis Hamilton
Few drivers have worn the colors of the German manufacturer in F1: besides Juan-Manuel Fangio (8 victories), we find Stirling Moss (1), Valtteri Bottas (3), Nico Rosberg (23, champion in 2016) and obviously Lewis Hamilton. The Briton has gleaned an impressive number of 46 successes since his transfer in 2013, and opened its counter in Hungary the same year.

Lewis Hamilton's arrival in Hungary. © DPPI/Floren Gooden

Win rate
Mercedes advantage
Thanks to exceptional work to embrace the regulatory revolution in 2014 (V6 turbo hybrid engine), Mercedes has a remarkable victory rate of 45% even though she had only won one GP between 2010 and 2012! For Lotus, fierce competition in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as periods of scarcity before its disappearance at the turn of the 1990s (zero success from 1988 to 1994) then during its return in the 2010s (nothing in 2014 and 2015 ) explain a lower rate: 13,37%.