The Lola LC89 was the car with which the Larrousse team contested the 1989 Formula One season. Designed by Lola founder Eric Broadley around the new 3.5-litre Lamborghini V12, it was quick enough to be useful and unreliable enough to score only one point.
Lola LC89 at a glance
| Constructor | Lola Cars |
|---|---|
| Team | Larrousse |
| Season | 1989 Formula One World Championship |
| Designer | Eric Broadley |
| Engine | Lamborghini 3512, 3.5-litre V12 |
| Engine designer | Mauro Forghieri |
| Power | about 600 bhp |
| Debut | 1989 San Marino Grand Prix |
| Drivers | Alliot, Bernard, Suzuki, Alboreto |
| Points | 1, Alliot sixth in Spain |
| Updated as | LC89B |
| Replaced by | Lola LC90 |
based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the Lola LC89
The LC89 was designed by Eric Broadley, the man behind the whole Lola enterprise, and built for the Larrousse team’s 1989 campaign. Its engine was the Lamborghini 3512, a 3.5-litre V12 drawn up by Mauro Forghieri, the former Ferrari designer, and rated at around 600 bhp.
The car first appeared at the second round of the season, the San Marino Grand Prix. Its aerodynamics were good and the chassis was on the pace, but the Lamborghini engine proved generally unreliable, and the combination of car and engine scored only one point in its racing life: Philippe Alliot finished sixth at the Spanish Grand Prix. Five-time Grand Prix winner Michele Alboreto, driving for the team in eight races, failed to pre-qualify twice, in Spain and Australia, and failed to qualify once, in Japan. He also broke a rib at the Hungarian Grand Prix after running over a high kerb.
The chassis was updated into the LC89B for the first two races of 1990 and replaced by the Lola LC90 from the San Marino Grand Prix of that year.
Design and features
- Broadley design: the last Formula One chassis from Lola’s founder, built for a private team.
- Lamborghini V12: a 3.5-litre engine by Mauro Forghieri with roughly 600 bhp — and a reputation for failing.
- Good aerodynamics: the chassis was competitive; the results were not.
- One point: Alliot’s sixth place in Spain was the car’s only score.
Lola LC89 versions
- LC89 (1989): the original car, from the San Marino Grand Prix onwards.
- LC89B (1990): updated chassis used for the first two races of the 1990 season.
Lola built Formula One cars for private teams over three decades, and the LC89 was followed by the T92/10 sports prototype. More in the Lola collection.
Sources
- Lola LC89, English Wikipedia: design, engine, race results, drivers
