1978 SWEDISH GRAN PRIX TWIN PACK
LOTUS 79 + BRABHAM BT46B
LIMITED EDITION 3000 UNITS.
The 1978 Swedish Grand Prix saw the debut, and only race, of one of the most extravagant ideas in Formula U history. The Brabham BT 46B ‘Fan Car’ took on a standard BT 46 Alfa Romeo flat 12 engine and added a large fan to the rear of the car, this drew air through the engine’s water radiator before using an even more effective version of the pioneering ground effect. by the Lotus 79, to create a partial vacuum under the car. This created an enormous amount of downforce, which allowed Niki Lauda to pull away early in the race.
The star act for the remainder of the season, the Lotus 79, was also an innovative act, its skirts along the sides of the body helping to generate high levels of downforce, absorbing the car into the track and immediately moving the goalposts. performance for other teams. The Fan Car generated tremendous controversy after its introduction, and Brabham insisted it was for engine cooling, not downforce purposes. While the Brabhams did not qualify on pole (they were deliberately sandbagged to avoid controversy), Lauda lined up second behind Andretti. The two battled for the lead early on, before a problem took out the Lotus and Lauda took victory by 34.6 seconds.
After the race, the car was confirmed to be legal, but Brabham withdrew it so that owner Bernie Ecclestone would avoid a confrontation with other team owners. The designer, Gordon Murray, designed numerous race and championship winning cars. The fan car is today an important legacy of one of the most innovative periods in F1 history and forms a perfect pair with the dominant Lotus 79.
Drivers: Mario Andretti + Niki Lauda
Race: GP of Sweden
Year: 1978
