Greg Thornton is FIA Historic F1 Champion

Greg Thornton at speed in 77/1, en route to becoming the FIA Historic F1 Champion 2018

Classic Team Lotus is delighted to have helped Greg Thornton to victory in the 2018 FIA Historic F1 Championship.  The famous Zandvoort circuit was the venue for the sixth round of the eight race championship.  Such has been the speed of Greg’s driving and the reliability of mechanic Ted Fiddy’s preparation, Greg was able to wrap up the title with two events in hand.

Greg on the top step of the Zandvoort podium

Greg started the season in the Classic Team Lotus type 77 – the Mario Andretti 1976 Japanese GP winning car - with which he laid the foundation for his success.  However, in a bizarre post British GP support race incident – outside of Greg’s control – 77/1 was damaged beyond immediate repair, at which point Classic Team Lotus team mate Katsu Kubota offered his March F1 car for Greg to maintain his championship challenge; an outstanding act of sportsmanship by this great ambassador for the Lotus marque.

As ever, victory was hard earned and Ted Fiddy and his colleagues have faced significant challenges along the way, including late night engine changes at both the Silverstone and Zandvoort rounds.

Ted Fiddy with Zandvoort trophy, presented by F1 driver Arturio Merzario

Team Manager Chris Dinnage commented “I’m delighted Greg has won his second Championship with us. He’s driving so well he thoroughly deserved it. We’ll enjoy our remaining 2018 races with a little less pressure. A great effort by Ted Fiddy and all the staff at Classic Team Lotus. Well done Greg, and I think its fair to say the quickest guy won.

Greg won his first FIA Historic F1 Championship in 2013, racing his Lotus type 92 (the first active suspension F1 car, raced by Nigel Mansell in 1983).  As Champion he will attend the FIA prize giving in Paris, to be awarded his prestigious trophy.

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