Fittipaldi left Lotus for McLaren in 1974, feeling that Peterson's arrival had compromised his bid for the title the previous year. Jacky Ickx joined Peterson and the Lotus team introduced the all-new type 76. But this was not the end of the 72 design. The handling of the new car proved to be no match for the 72 and Peterson persuaded Colin Chapman to revert to the old car for the Monaco Grand Prix, which he promptly won. Subsequent victories came at Dijon and Monza and also at the Race Of Champions for Ickx but the design of the 72 was now five years old and, over the 15 race season, was no match for the reliabilty of the McLaren in Fittipaldi's hands.

The 72 was again entered for the 1975 season but the car was by now no longer a competitive proposition. A solitary podium place at Montjiuch Park in Spain was all that Ickx could manage. Ickx promptly left the team leaving Peterson to fight on, gaining just two points in the type 72's final race at Watkins Glen in October.

The Lotus 72 was finally retired and replaced by the interim Lotus 77 in the following year. This was superseded by the Lotus 78 "wing car", which heralded another new Chapman-inspired chapter in Formula 1 design.

The now immortal Lotus 72 design departed the world of racing on a low point after outliving it's intended life. Those final two seasons have not overshadowed it's enormous influence on the modern era of single-seater design and the incredible performances of the car during it's spectacular heyday.

Model designation: Lotus Ford 72 (Types A -E)

Years: 1969 - 1975

Designer: Maurice Phillippe

Cars built: 9

First Grand Prix: Spain 1970 at Jarama

Last Grand Prix: USA 1975 at Watkins Glen

Tyres: Firestone (1970-1972), Goodyear (1973-1975)

Works drivers: Jochen Rindt (A), John Miles (GB), Alex Soler-Roig (E), Emerson Fittipaldi (BR), Reine Wisell (S), Dave Waker (AUS), Ronnie Peterson (S), Jacky Ickx (B), Jim Crawford (GB), Brian Henton (GB), John Watson (GB)

Sponsors: Gold Leaf 1970-1971; John Player Special, 1972 - 1975

Grand Prix victories: 20

Driver's World Championship: 1970: Jochen Rindt (A) ; 1972: Emerson Fittipaldi (BR)

Constructor's World Championship: 1970, 1972 & 1973

Private entries: Graham Hill (GB) (Rob Walker Team - sponsor: Brooke Bond Oxo), Dave Charlton (ZA) sponsor: Lucky Strike