Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Autosport
Autosport

Goodwood to celebrate 40th anniversary of Senna's maiden F1 win

The 40th anniversary of Ayrton Senna's first Formula 1 victory will be celebrated at this year's Goodwood Members' Meeting with Bruno Senna driving his uncle's winning Lotus.

Senna Sr burst onto the F1 scene in 1984, after a successful junior single-seater career, and came close to triumphing in the rain-shortened Monaco Grand Prix that year when driving a Toleman.

He switched to Lotus the following season and scored his maiden victory at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix in April, the second round of the campaign and one of two races Senna won that year.

It was an impressive display in wet conditions as Senna lapped the entire field, except for Michele Alboreto's Ferrari - which finished over a minute behind the Brazilian.

INSIGHT: Ayrton Senna's 10 greatest Formula 1 races

The Lotus 97T with which Senna was triumphant will now be driven by his nephew on both days of the Goodwood Members' Meeting over 12-13 April in a special demonstration to commemorate the victory, before Bruno will then take to the track in the car at Estoril on the exact anniversary of the race.

The 97T is prepared by Classic Team Lotus, which is run by Clive Chapman - son of Lotus founder Colin.

“Ayrton’s first win was a great moment for him, Team Lotus and F1,” said Chapman Jr. “So much so that in his own words Ayrton considered Estoril to be his greatest race. 

#1 Rebellion Racing Rebellion R-13: Gibson: Bruno Senna (Photo by: JEP / Motorsport Images)

“Together with Peter Warr and Fred Bushell, my mother Hazel had kept Team Lotus going and Estoril was the first win since Colin died. 

“It has been our privilege to maintain the car in running condition. Bruno driving at Estoril 40 years to the day is bound to be emotional and we will be delighted to share our passion with the fans at Goodwood.”

The Duke of Richmond added: “I am delighted that we will celebrate Ayrton Senna's extraordinary life and career at this year’s Members’ Meeting. 

“We are hugely grateful to Clive Chapman and Classic Team Lotus for bringing the Lotus 97T to Goodwood ahead of their project to take the car to Estoril the following weekend.

“Having witnessed Bruno’s emotional lap of the Goodwood Circuit in the championship-winning McLaren MP4/6 in 2021, I am looking forward to another unforgettable tribute to honour one of the greatest drivers in Formula 1 history.”

In this article
Stephen Lickorish
Historics
National
Bruno Senna
Ayrton Senna
Be the first to know and subscribe for real-time news email updates on these topics
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.