The first single-seater Lotus, the 12, was presented at the London Motor Show in 1956. In the F.2 configuration the car began its first tests in 1957 and in 1958 the Lotus 12 debuted in F1 with Climax FPF engines from 1960, 2000 and 2200cc. The first race held in F1 from 12 was the 1958 Silverstone International Trophy with Graham Hill. Cliff Allison was sixth in Monte Carlo in 1958 with the 2000cc engine. Some examples of the 12 were entered in F.2 races until the end of 1959.