Model 98T, protagonist of epic victory against Nigel Mansell in 1986, goes on sale in perfect working order
One of the most iconic machines of Formula 1’s “Golden Age” is looking for a new owner. The Lotus 98T, chassis No. 3, driven by Ayrton Senna in the 1986 season, will be auctioned by the renowned RM Sotheby’s. The expectation is that the final auction will be between US$ 9.5 million and US$ 12 million – a figure that, in current direct conversion, can exceed R$ 62 million. The auction is scheduled to begin on March 4, 2026.
This isn’t just another vintage race car; It is a vital piece of motorsport history. It was with this chassis that Senna starred in one of the most memorable duels in the category at the 1986 Spanish GP. On that occasion, the Brazilian held off Nigel Mansell’s Williams in the final laps, crossing the finish line with a tiny advantage of 0.014 seconds – one of the tightest margins ever recorded in F1.
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Under the iconic black and gold John Player Special paint job — the last one used by the team — the car hides a mechanical brutality typical of the 80s. Equipped with a 1.5-liter Renault EF15 V6 turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual transmission, the bolide offered different power maps. In race configuration, it delivered about 900 hp, but in qualifying mode, the turbo pressure was released to overcome the 1,000 hp barrier, requiring extreme skill from the driver.
The provenance of the vehicle reinforces its historical value. The model was one of only four built for that year and, in addition to the victory in Spain, secured the 100th pole position in Team Lotus’ history. Acquired directly from the team in 1988, the car went through private collections until it reached the current owner in 2016.
Recently, the vehicle underwent a complete restoration by Paul Lanzante Ltd, a British specialist in racing classics. According to RM Sotheby’s, the work preserved originality while ensuring mechanical functionality. In other words, whoever has the capital to buy this legend will not only take home a museum piece, but a car ready to accelerate again on the tracks.
