On April 21, Lotus Cars held a special event in the UK to commemorate the 40th anniversary of legendary F1 driver Ayrton Senna and the Lotus 97T’s victory in the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix.
Over 12,000 visitors attended the event to commemorate Senna’s great moment. The event was made even more special by the presence of Bruno Senna, Ayrton Senna’s nephew and former F1 driver, along with the perfectly restored Lotus 97T race car. Bruno Senna drove the Lotus 97T around the Estoril circuit which his uncle won 40 years ago, creating a touching moment. He has a deep connection with Lotus, having previously worked for the Lotus Renault GP team in the 2011 season.
During the event, the Estoril Racing Lab (ERL) operated a simulator where visitors could experience the Lotus 97T for free. This allowed participants to vividly experience Ayrton Senna’s moving race from 40 years ago.
The 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix is considered one of the greatest races in F1 history. At that time, Senna won his first F1 race in the harsh conditions of heavy rain driving the Lotus 97T, which he later considered his greatest victory.
The Lotus 97T was a race car that demonstrated excellent handling performance through a lightweight body (540 kg, approximately 1,190 pounds) based on CFRP (carbon fiber reinforced plastic), aerodynamic design, and electronic active suspension, and left a deep mark on F1 history along with Senna.
Ayrton Senna won 41 wins in 162 Grands Prix, including winning the F1 World Championship three times in 1988, 1990, and 1991. He is considered one of the greatest drivers in F1 history, setting numerous records such as 65 pole positions, 8 consecutive pole positions, and winning the Monaco Grand Prix six times.
Bruno Senna expressed that driving the Lotus 97T, which accompanied his uncle on his journey, was a thrilling experience.He noted that the event would be an opportunity to highlight the powerful influence Ayrton Senna still has on motorsports and society to this day. He added that Senna has also had a positive impact on education and sustainability, and as a symbol of pursuing dreams, he continues to inspire many people around the world.
Clive Chapman, Managing Director of Classic Team Lotus, remarked that Senna’s arrival marked a turning point for the team, highlighting that his exceptional talent and passion contributed greatly to the team’s progress. He added that the commemorative event was a valuable opportunity to reminisce about that magical moment and pay tribute to Senna’s legacy.
In the meantime, Lotus Korea is attracting attention for introducing the Electric Vehicle New Car Exchange Program for the first time among imported car brands earlier this month. This is a program that allows customers to immediately exchange their Lotus electric vehicle for a new one if a fire breaks out while it is parked or charging, and it is attracting great attention in the luxury EV market.
