Lotus-Renault 97T/2 – 1985
Ayrton Senna
Lotus Engineering, founded in 1954 by Colin Chapman as a separate division of Lotus Cars, became known from the very beginning as one of the most innovative constructors in Formula 1. It entered the championship in 1958, competing until 1994 in 197 Grands Prix, securing seven Constructors’ Championships (1963, 1965, 1968, 1970, 1972, 1973, and 1978) and six Drivers’ Championships, thanks to legends like Jim Clark, Graham Hill, Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, and Mario Andretti. Under Chapman’s visionary leadership, Lotus revolutionized the sport with innovations such as the aluminum monocoque chassis, rear-mounted engines, aerodynamic wings, and ground effect. The team claimed 79 victories and influenced generations of engineers, despite having smaller budgets than some of its rivals.
As for the Lotus-Renault 97T, it represented an engineering milestone for the team. Designed by Gérard Ducarouge as an evolution of the 1984 95T, it incorporated aerodynamic improvements (such as winglets above the sidepods) and essential structural reinforcements for the turbocharged F1 era. Built with a carbon fiber and Kevlar monocoque chassis for increased rigidity and lightness, it weighed 539 kg. The engine was the Renault Gordini EF15B, a 1492cc turbocharged V6 producing between 780 and 850 horsepower in race configuration (over 1,000 hp in qualifying), featuring twin Garrett turbochargers. Transmission duties were handled by a five-speed manual Lotus/Hewland FGB gearbox. Equipped with Goodyear tires, it featured carbon disc brakes (a first for Lotus) and was also notable for the vertical vanes between the front wheels and the chassis.
The 97T’s competitiveness and speed were clearly evident through its eight pole positions, three fastest laps, three victories, and 71 points, elevating Lotus to fourth place in the Constructors’ Championship. This particular chassis, the 97T/2, was driven by Senna in several races, including his victory in Portugal.
Ayrton Senna da Silva was born on March 21, 1960, in São Paulo, Brazil. He began racing go-karts at age 13, winning several national championships before moving to Europe in 1981. He won decisively in Formula Ford (1600 and 2000) and British Formula 3, and by 1984, he was already in F1. He started with Toleman, shining with a second-place finish in Monaco in the rain. The following year, he was at the wheel of the Lotus 97T. With the British team, he achieved six victories and 16 pole positions, finishing third in the championship in 1987. He joined McLaren in 1988, winning three World Championships (1988, 1990, and 1991) with 35 victories for the team, totaling 41 Grand Prix wins and 65 pole positions across 161 races. Known for his intensity, his rivalry with Prost, and his skill in the rain, Senna moved to Williams in 1994. However, on May 1 of that year, he suffered a fatal accident during the San Marino Grand Prix. The impact of his death reached far beyond the boundaries of the sport, proving that Senna had become a global icon, idolized by millions around the world. He is cited by many F1 drivers as their main inspiration and is unanimously considered one of the greatest drivers of all time.
In the 1985 season, Senna and the 97T formed a highly competitive duo, securing seven pole positions (including his first, at Estoril), two wins, and three fastest laps. Elio de Angelis, his teammate, won in San Marino and took pole position in Canada. Senna scored 38 points and finished fourth in the Drivers’ World Championship.
The highlight of the season—and the one Ayrton Senna considered his greatest race—was the Portuguese Grand Prix, held at the Autódromo do Estoril on April 21, 1985. Opened in 1972, the Autódromo do Estoril hosted F1 for the first time in 1984, but it was the following year’s race that made history. In torrential rain, Senna claimed his first victory on the 4.35 km circuit. Starting from pole position, he led all 67 laps and finished more than a minute ahead of Michele Alboreto, the only driver not to be lapped by the Brazilian. This masterful performance catapulted him into a career that made him one of the greatest names in Formula 1.
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Model: Lotus-Renault 97T/2
Year: 1985
Country: United Kingdom
Power: 760-850 hp / 11,500-12,500 rpm
Displacement: 1494 cc
Weight: 540 kg
Top Speed: 338 km/h
Engine: Renault Gordini V6 twin-turbo
Designers: Gérard Ducarouge, Martin Ogilvie, Mike Coughlan, and John Davis
Best Result: 3 victories (Portuguese GP, San Marino GP, and Belgian GP)