After the ban on the revolutionary 88, Lotus was forced to fall back on something more conventional for the remainder of the 1981 Formula 1 season. The team developed the 87, which retained some parts of the 88 but had a unique chassis made in composite material. An improved and lighter version, the 87B, was brought to the track in the last races by Elio De Angelis and Nigel Mansell. The 87B was also used in early 1982.