A fully operational Lotus 98T raced by Senna in 1986 is heading to auction, carrying rare turbo era history
Ayrton Senna scored two wins in this 1986 Lotus 98T. Its turbo V6 produced over 1,200 hp in qualifying trim. The John Player Special black and gold livery defines it. Few drivers have left a mark on Formula 1 quite like Ayrton Senna.
The Brazilian legend had an innate ability to extract the most from any car he drove, securing podium finishes in every full F1 season he competed in and race wins in every season except his 1984 debut. While he is perhaps best remembered for his years at McLaren, he also spent two seasons at Lotus, and this is one of the cars he drove. Read: McLaren Pays Tribute To Ayrton Senna With New F1 Livery And Hand-Painted Supercar The 98T, built by Lotus for the 1986 Formula 1 World Championship, stands among the most iconic machines ever fielded by the British team. Finished in the unmistakable gold and black John Player Special livery, it remains a defining F1 silhouette. One example is heading to auction in March, where it could sell for as much as $12 million. Turbo Power In Senna’s Hands Tim Scott/RM Sotheby's Senna raced this car during his second season with the team. Powered by a fire-breathing Renault 1.5-liter turbocharged V6, the 98T is widely regarded as one of the most powerful Formula 1 cars of its era. In race trim, it produced around 900 hp. Turned up for qualifying, output edged toward 1,200 hp, all sent to the rear wheels, which made the 98T a formidable machine even by the wild standards of mid-1980s turbo F1. This 98T is chassis 98T-3 and was driven exclusively by Senna during the first half of the 1986 season. He steered it to victory in two races, and secured three other podium finishes, and five pole positions with it. According to RM Sotheby’s, the car was purchased directly from Lotus in 1988 and has since passed through several respected motorsport collectors. It has been in the current owner’s possession since 2016 and underwent an intricate restoration by Lanzante. Unlike some former F1 cars that have had their engines removed, this Lotus retains its original V6 and remains fully operational for anyone brave enough to try to tame it. Few machines carry this much history with the scars to prove it. Curious what a legend costs these days? Check out the listing here and start clearing your garage space. Tim Scott/RM Sotheby's
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