With the 16, Lotus made a certain leap in quality in the construction of single-seaters. Compared to the 12 which was presented in 1956, the 16 had a more refined design and an improved chassis. The Lotus 16 was entered in F.1 and F.2 races, making its debut at the 1958 French GP, initially being used together with the 12. However, the results were never sensational in 1958. The following year Innes Ireland was fourth in the Dutch GP and fifth at Sebring. The 16 also made some appearances in 1960. Some frames were sold in Australia. The Lotus 16 was raced by Cliff Allison, Graham Hill, Innes Ireland, Rodriguez Larreta, Pete Lovely, David Piper, Alan Stacey and Mike Taylor.