Mechanics at Classic Team Lotus have been busy at Hethel restoring and preparing the cars for their owners to race on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit at an event taking place from April 24 to 26.

The Grand Prix De Monaco Historique is a historic racing event featuring classic single‑seater and sports cars from the 1920s to the mid‑1980s, serving as a warm-up for this year's Grand Prix on the first weekend in June.

Nine classic Lotus F1 cars are set to race on the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in the Grand Prix De Monaco Historique (Image: Lotus)

Period drivers of these Lotus cars include Stirling Moss, Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jack Brabham, Jacky Ickx and Nigel Mansell.

The cars were built by Team Lotus in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, initially at the sports car manufacturer's Hethel base, then at Ketteringham Hall from the early 1970s.

On the back row of the nine cars pictured are three Lotus 18s from the 1960s, including the Monaco Grand Prix-winning car of F1 driver Stirling Moss. 

The middle row features three British Racing green cars, while the front row is made up of a trio of the famous Lotus black and gold cars: the Type 72, driven by Jacky Ickx; the Type 91, of Nigel Mansell; and the Type 95T, of Elio de Angelis. 

In total, 28 Lotus F1 cars will compete in seven classes of racing.

Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and the son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, said: "It’s a big challenge to prepare and run nine F1 cars anywhere, but Monaco makes it even more difficult. 

Clive Chapman, managing director of Classic Team Lotus and the son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, in the driver's seat of the rebuilt Type 49, which Lotus unveiled last month (Image: Denise Bradley)

"Our main objective is to provide the owners with a reliable car which can get them to the finish, then, when the green lights go on, it’s up to them to make the most of it.

"It’s always nice to see them finish on the podium, but the main thing is to see them finish. After the great efforts of the team it would be great to see all the cars running well and the customers satisfied."

© Eastern Daily Press