Andretti and his Lotus 78 Artwork
Artist Thom Montanari paints a picture of Mario Andretti and the Lotus 78.
Mario Andretti started the 1978 Formula One season in the Colin Chapman–designed Lotus 78. After winning the season opener in Argentina from the pole position, Mario switched to the new Lotus 79. He went on to win the Belgian, Spanish, French, German and Dutch Grands Prix to take the World Championship. Ironically, Mario would have won the 1977 World Championship had it not been for engine problems with the Ford Cosworth V-8 in four races in a row at mid-season. Tragically, Mario’s teammate, Ronnie Peterson, was killed later in the season at the Italian Grand Prix.
