Few cars capture the wild excess of 1980s Formula 1 quite like Ayrton Senna’s 1986 Lotus 98T, and now one of the most significant examples ever built is heading to auction. Chassis 98T-3 is the very car Senna drove in eight Grands Prix during the 1986 season, claiming victories in Spain and the United States, five pole positions and three additional podium finishes.
The 98T represents Formula 1’s most ferocious turbocharged era. Powered by a 1.5-litre Renault V6 capable of producing around 900 hp in race trim and well over 1,000 hp in qualifying specification, it ranks among the most powerful Grand Prix cars ever built.
Designed by Gérard Ducarouge, the 98T featured a carbon fibre and aluminium composite chassis and advanced electronics for its time, including an onboard fuel readout system. It was also the final Lotus Formula 1 car to wear the iconic black-and-gold John Player Special livery, which is a colour scheme now inseparable from Senna’s early legend.
Chassis 98T-3 was used exclusively by Senna in the opening half of the 1986 season, including his unforgettable Spanish Grand Prix victory, where he edged Nigel Mansell by just 0.014 seconds. It later passed directly from Lotus in 1988 into a succession of respected collections before undergoing a comprehensive restoration by Paul Lanzante Ltd. Described by RM Sotheby’s as having “impeccable provenance and immaculate condition”, the car is now presented ready for track use. Today, chassis 98T-3 stands as one of only four examples built for that championship season.
Offered with an estimate of US$9.5–12 million, bidding opens on 4 March and closes on 11 March. Collectors worldwide are expected to watch closely as this significant piece of racing history comes to market. Details of the auction can be found on the RM Sotheby’s website.
