The Lola LC89 is a Formula One car designed by Lola founder Eric Broadley and used in the 1989 Formula One season by the Larrousse team. It was powered by the 3.5-litre Lamborghini 3512 V12 engine designed by former Ferrari designer Mauro Forghieri. Drivers of the car included Philippe Alliot, Éric Bernard, Aguri Suzuki and Michele Alboreto.

Lola LC89
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorLola Cars
Designer(s)Eric Broadley
Chris Murphy
PredecessorLola LC88
SuccessorLola LC90
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod, twin spring / dampers
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod, twin spring / dampers
EngineLamborghini 3512, 3,493 cc (213.2 cu in), 80° V12, NA, Mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionLola 6-speed manual
FuelBP
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsLarrousse & Calmels
ESPO Larrousse F1
Notable drivers29. France Yannick Dalmas
29. France Éric Bernard
29. Italy Michele Alboreto
30. France Philippe Alliot
30. Japan Aguri Suzuki
Debut1989 San Marino Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
16000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The car made its debut in round two of the season, at the 1989 San Marino Grand Prix. While the aerodynamics were good and the chassis was on the pace, the Lamborghini V12 engine proved to be generally unreliable, despite its reported 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS). The car and engine combination would only score one point in its racing life with Alliot finishing in sixth place at the 1989 Spanish Grand Prix. Five time Grand Prix winner Alboreto failed to pre-qualify the car twice (Spain and Australia) and failed to qualify once (Japan), in his eight drives for the team in 1989. Alboreto also suffered a broken rib driving the car when he ran over a high curb during the Hungarian Grand Prix.

The chassis was updated into the LC89B for the first two races of 1990. It was replaced by the Lola LC90 from the 1990 San Marino Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results edit

(key)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts. WCC
1989 Larrousse & Calmels LC89 Lamborghini 3512
V12
G BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 1 16th
Philippe Alliot Ret Ret NC Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret DNPQ 16 Ret 9 6 Ret Ret
Yannick Dalmas Ret DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ
Éric Bernard 11 Ret
Michele Alboreto Ret Ret Ret Ret 11 DNPQ DNQ DNPQ
1990 ESPO Larrousse F1 LC89B Lamborghini 3512
V12
G USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 11* 6th
Éric Bernard 8 Ret
Aguri Suzuki Ret Ret
Source[3]

* All 1990 points scored using Lola LC90

References edit

  1. ^ "Lola LC89". statsf1.com. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Lola LC89B". statsf1.com. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  3. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 17, 21, 60, 117, and 371. ISBN 0851127029.