Arguably one of the best liveries ever, made popular by one of the most famous names to grace the circuit. It was the Renault-powered Lotus 97T piloted by Ayrton Senna that secured him his first-ever Grand Prix win. During the Portuguese GP, which race was held in atrociously wet conditions, it only took Senna about 15 laps to shake off all his pursuers. Showcasing his trademark superiority in the wet, he showcased quick, controlled driving and always used the highest gear possible to avoid wheelspin. By the end of the race, Senna in his 97T had lapped the entire field at least once, with the exception of the second-placed driver.
The Lotus 97T, powered by the Renault Gordini EF15B 1,492 cc 90° V6 turbocharged mid-engine, was a formidable force on the racetrack in the hands of the legendary Ayrton Senna. With a 5-speed manual transmission developed by Lotus and Hewland, the car boasted an impressive power output of 810 hp (604.0 kW) at 12,500 rpm. Despite its lightweight construction, weighing only 540 kg (1,190.5 lb), which is almost half the weight of the current generation Formula One car, Ayrton displayed absolute dominance in the wet conditions outpacing everyone on the track.
The Lotus 97T, depicted in its legendary black and gold livery, is the latest addition to our Blueprint Collection. The poster serves as a testament to its achievements and design excellence, which helped Ayrton in his rise to greatness. Showcasing the car from various angles, the poster highlights its performance with a table of starts, wins, and podium finishes, as well as the names of the drivers who drove it to success. This artwork is a homage to Ayrton Senna's first Grand Prix success and a celebration of the craftsmanship and performance of the iconic Lotus 97T.