At the 1968 Spanish Grand Prix the Lotus, initially using the British racing green, became the first works team (second only to Team Gunston entering a private Brabham car at the 1968 South African Grand Prix) to implement sponsorship brands as a livery when the possibility to do so was created in . Lotus also had one of the longest sponsorship cooperations in Formula One history, making the black and gold of its John Player Special seasons (- and -) one of the best known liveries to this day.