In a powerful tribute to one of Formula 1's most iconic Grand Prix drivers, the legendary Lotus 97T will return to the Estoril circuit on April 21st, 2025, exactly 40 years after Ayrton Senna's first Grand Prix victory at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix.
The historic British machine will again thunder through Estoril, driven by the late Ayrton Senna's nephew, Bruno Senna. This historic lap will mark a deeply emotional homecoming for both car and legacy as the Senna name returns to one of the most iconic Formula One tracks in
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
This milestone is designed to commemorate the beginning of Ayrton Senna's incredible first win in Formula One and the enduring impact of Lotus' innovation in Formula 1. This special event aligns with Formula 1's 75th anniversary, consequently intertwining two legacies that helped shape one of Formula One's golden eras.
In later interviews, Senna downplayed his famous 1993 Donington win, another iconic wet-weather drive: "No way! I had traction control there. It was a good win, but compared with Estoril '85 it was nothing" - Newspress UK.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use
At the heart of Senna's performance was his 1985 steed, the Lotus 97T. A machine that changed the fabric of Formula One history, the 97T introduced several aerodynamic innovations, including vertical airflow devices behind the front wheels and early iterations of the bargeboards that remain a staple in modern F1 design. With its turbocharged engine and bold black-and-gold livery, the 97T delivered performance and helped define the peak of the first turbo era in F1.
Lotus will document the journey across social media channels, with stories, interviews, and reactions culminating in a filmed lap at Estoril. Sky Sports F1 and other major media outlets will provide coverage of the historic drive, allowing fans worldwide to witness this moving tribute to one of motorsport's greatest legends.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
Examples Built: 4
Engine Type: Turbocharged Renault EF15 V6
Engine Size: 1492cc
Engine Power: 780-850 bhp (in race spec)
Length/Width/Height: 166/84.5/39.5in
Wheelbase: 107in
Weight: 1188lb/539kg (regulation)
Credit: NewspressUK
Before its return to Portugal, the Lotus 97T will be showcased at the 82nd Goodwood Members' Meeting on April 12–13. This public appearance offers fans a rare opportunity to witness the iconic car in action ahead of its emotional Estoril lap.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
For those who cannot travel to Estoril, the lap will be filmed and shared by various media outlets, including Sky Sports F1.
1985 JPS Lotus 97T Assetto Corsa livery. Image: Ayrton379
Whether you are an old-school rFactor player, an Assetto Corsa fan, or an Automobilista 2 fanatic, there are options throughout the sim racing library that is our downloads section!
F1 1985 mod for the original rFactor. Image: Markosamo
Automobilista 2 1985 F1 skinpack. Image: Klukkluk
Not only do the liveries look great, but the AI is fantastic, thanks to a custom AI file for each driver. This means that each driver's performance is relative to how competitive they were in 1985. Grand Prix recreations are possible with this fantastic detail that brings this pack together. A 1988 version of Estoril, which uses the same layout as it did in 1985, is also available for AMS2 as part of the Historical Track Pack Pt. 1 DLC.
It is worth noting, however, that the class is based on the 1983 Formula One season, so the cars' shapes do not match those of 1985. Furthermore, only Tyrrell ran naturally aspirated engines in 1985, and only for about half the season, so there are some notable differences on the grid.
Outside of the individually licensed McLaren MP4/1C and Brabham BT52, the cars are all the same 3D model whether you choose the V6 Turbo version or the NA V8 option. The liveries define the cars beautifully, but the shape does not change.
Aerial view of Ayrton379's Lotus 97T livery. Image: Ayrton279
Of course, the beauty of Assetto Corsa is the range of circuits available alongside the 98T, liveried as the 97T. One example that is particularly relevant to the reason for this piece is the 1988 version of Estoril, a time when the circuit flowed beautifully and was home to the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Are you planning to watch this iconic lap take place at Estoril? Do you have any other mods from this era that you love? Let us know in the comments down below!
The historic British machine will again thunder through Estoril, driven by the late Ayrton Senna's nephew, Bruno Senna. This historic lap will mark a deeply emotional homecoming for both car and legacy as the Senna name returns to one of the most iconic Formula One tracks in
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
This milestone is designed to commemorate the beginning of Ayrton Senna's incredible first win in Formula One and the enduring impact of Lotus' innovation in Formula 1. This special event aligns with Formula 1's 75th anniversary, consequently intertwining two legacies that helped shape one of Formula One's golden eras.
The 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix
Ayrton Senna's performance at Estoril will always be remembered as a proper old-school masterclass in wet-weather driving. The Brazilian dominated the race in quite frankly dangerous conditions, and he lapped the majority of his competitors—an extraordinary feat that Senna himself once described as the most incredible drive of his career.In later interviews, Senna downplayed his famous 1993 Donington win, another iconic wet-weather drive: "No way! I had traction control there. It was a good win, but compared with Estoril '85 it was nothing" - Newspress UK.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use
At the heart of Senna's performance was his 1985 steed, the Lotus 97T. A machine that changed the fabric of Formula One history, the 97T introduced several aerodynamic innovations, including vertical airflow devices behind the front wheels and early iterations of the bargeboards that remain a staple in modern F1 design. With its turbocharged engine and bold black-and-gold livery, the 97T delivered performance and helped define the peak of the first turbo era in F1.
Lotus will document the journey across social media channels, with stories, interviews, and reactions culminating in a filmed lap at Estoril. Sky Sports F1 and other major media outlets will provide coverage of the historic drive, allowing fans worldwide to witness this moving tribute to one of motorsport's greatest legends.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
Lotus 97T Mechanical Statistics:
Year of Production: 1985Examples Built: 4
Engine Type: Turbocharged Renault EF15 V6
Engine Size: 1492cc
Engine Power: 780-850 bhp (in race spec)
Length/Width/Height: 166/84.5/39.5in
Wheelbase: 107in
Weight: 1188lb/539kg (regulation)
Credit: NewspressUK
Before its return to Portugal, the Lotus 97T will be showcased at the 82nd Goodwood Members' Meeting on April 12–13. This public appearance offers fans a rare opportunity to witness the iconic car in action ahead of its emotional Estoril lap.
Ayrton Senna, Estoril 1985. Image: Lotus Media Centre, CC free for editorial use.
For those who cannot travel to Estoril, the lap will be filmed and shared by various media outlets, including Sky Sports F1.
The Lotus 97T in Sim Racing
It's one thing to watch this incredible slice of Formula One history return to its roots at Estoril, but what if you could drive it yourself? Unfortunately, here at OverTake, we haven't been able to sweet-talk Bruno Senna into letting each of you have a lap, but we can offer you the sim racing alternative.1985 JPS Lotus 97T Assetto Corsa livery. Image: Ayrton379
Whether you are an old-school rFactor player, an Assetto Corsa fan, or an Automobilista 2 fanatic, there are options throughout the sim racing library that is our downloads section!
rFactor F1 1985 by Endor Team
If the classic sim racing title rFactor is your pick for your Formula One fix, then good news! The rFactor mod specialists, Endor Team, uploaded by Markosamo, have created a beautiful season pack for the 1985 Formula One season. Having the Lotus 97T is fantastic, but having the rest of the grid to race it against is even better!F1 1985 mod for the original rFactor. Image: Markosamo
Automobilista 2, Formula Retro Gen 3
Another fantastic option for fans of this era of Formula One is Klukkluk's pack for the Automobilista 2 Formula Retro Gen 3. These liveries are of a tremendous quality and include all the drivers. The critical car in this context is, of course, the Lotus 97T. There is something special about being able to blast this fantastic car around all manner of historic circuits in Automobilista 2; it feels like an absolute honour.Automobilista 2 1985 F1 skinpack. Image: Klukkluk
Not only do the liveries look great, but the AI is fantastic, thanks to a custom AI file for each driver. This means that each driver's performance is relative to how competitive they were in 1985. Grand Prix recreations are possible with this fantastic detail that brings this pack together. A 1988 version of Estoril, which uses the same layout as it did in 1985, is also available for AMS2 as part of the Historical Track Pack Pt. 1 DLC.
It is worth noting, however, that the class is based on the 1983 Formula One season, so the cars' shapes do not match those of 1985. Furthermore, only Tyrrell ran naturally aspirated engines in 1985, and only for about half the season, so there are some notable differences on the grid.
Outside of the individually licensed McLaren MP4/1C and Brabham BT52, the cars are all the same 3D model whether you choose the V6 Turbo version or the NA V8 option. The liveries define the cars beautifully, but the shape does not change.
Assetto Corsa's 98T Transformed into the 97T
An included car with Kunos Simulazioni's original Assetto Corsa, the Lotus 98T from the following season, 1986, is the base for the livery of the 97T car. The immersion of a single car is perhaps not quite up to the level of the Automobilsita 2 pack; however, if you already have a collection of mid- to late-eighties liveries, this could be a fantastic option to add to your collection!Aerial view of Ayrton379's Lotus 97T livery. Image: Ayrton279
Of course, the beauty of Assetto Corsa is the range of circuits available alongside the 98T, liveried as the 97T. One example that is particularly relevant to the reason for this piece is the 1988 version of Estoril, a time when the circuit flowed beautifully and was home to the Portuguese Grand Prix.
Are you planning to watch this iconic lap take place at Estoril? Do you have any other mods from this era that you love? Let us know in the comments down below!
