As the Coventry Climax engines were enlarged in 1952 to 2.2-litres, Chapman decided to enter Grand Prix racing, running a pair of Lotus 12s at Monaco in 1958 for Graham Hill and Cliff Allison.
Como os motores Coventry Climax ampliáronse en 1952 a 2´2 litros, Chapman decidiu entrar nas carreiras de Gran Premio, presentou un par de Lotus 12 en Mónaco en 1958 para Graham Hill e Cliff Allison.