Motorsport fans of a certain age need no reminder of the generally torrid final Formula 1 attempts of Lola Cars and Yamaha 27 years ago. The British constructor botched its attempt to make the grade when both its drivers comprehensively failed to qualify for the opening round of the 1997 season, and then vanished from the paddock by the next round when its money failed to materialise. The Japanese manufacturer fared little better in its role supplying engines to Arrows, save for Damon Hill’s heroics and near-victory at the Hungarian Grand Prix, where he agonisingly lost the lead on the final lap due to a hydraulics issue. That season was the last for Yamaha in car racing, while Lola would achieve success in spades through its involvement with Indycars, sportscars and its Formula 3000 spec chassis.
By the end of 2012, Lola had
