Description
The Lotus 97T/2, raced during the 1985 Formula One season, was one of the most competitive and visually iconic cars ever produced by Team Lotus. It marked the moment when the team fully returned to front-running form after several transitional years and became a genuine title contender once again. With its striking black-and-gold John Player Special livery, its powerful Renault turbo engine, and the inspired driving of Ayrton Senna and Elio de Angelis, the 97T delivered multiple victories and re-established Lotus as a force in the turbo era.
The 97T was designed by Gérard Ducarouge, whose arrival at Lotus in 1984 had immediately transformed the team’s fortunes. The car was an aggressive evolution of the 95T, but almost every detail was reworked to improve aerodynamics, stiffness, and adjustability. The aluminium honeycomb monocoque was stronger and narrower, allowing tighter bodywork that better controlled airflow over the rear wing and around the sidepods. The 97T generated high levels of downforce from both conventional wings and shaped underbody surfaces, taking advantage of the maximum ground-effect performance allowed under the post-skirt regulations.
Power came from the Renault Gordini EF15 turbocharged 1.5-litre V6, one of the most advanced engines of its era. In race trim it produced around 780 horsepower, but in qualifying mode — with high boost and special fuel mixtures — it could exceed 900 horsepower, making the 97T brutally fast over a single lap. The engine delivered strong mid-range torque and excellent throttle response for a turbo unit, qualities that suited Senna’s precise driving style and de Angelis’s smooth, consistent approach. Power was transmitted through a five-speed Hewland gearbox, which remained reliable even under the enormous loads produced by high boost pressures.
Suspension followed refined Lotus principles: double wishbones at the front and rear with pull-rod actuated coil springs and dampers. The geometry allowed the car to maintain stable downforce at high speed while still being compliant enough for street circuits. The 97T had a reputation for sharp turn-in, exceptional braking stability, and excellent traction out of slower corners — traits that made it especially strong at Monaco, Detroit, and Estoril. Braking was handled by large ventilated discs all round, giving the drivers confidence to push deep into corners despite the heavy turbo power.
Chassis 97T/2 was one of the primary race cars used by Team Lotus, most famously by Ayrton Senna. It was the machine in which Senna scored his breakthrough first Formula One victory at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix. In torrential rain at Estoril, Senna drove with absolute control and precision, lapping nearly the entire field and delivering one of the greatest wet-weather performances in the sport’s history. The 97T’s downforce, stability, and balance were instrumental in that dominant display. The same chassis also played a major role in his Monaco pole position and podium finishes throughout the season.
Elio de Angelis also scored a victory in the 97T, winning the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix and achieving consistent points finishes. His smooth, measured approach perfectly matched the Renault power unit and the chassis’s responsive handling. Together, Senna and de Angelis propelled Lotus to one of its strongest seasons since the mid-1970s, regularly fighting McLaren, Ferrari, and Williams on equal terms. The team finished fourth in the Constructors’ Championship, a position that did not fully capture how often the 97T was the fastest car on the grid.
The 97T was also notable for several technical innovations that influenced F1 design. Lotus incorporated aerodynamic bargeboards — one of the earliest uses of these devices — to help condition airflow around the sidepods. Clever diffuser shaping increased underbody effect, and the car’s compact rear packaging improved stability at high speeds. It represented a sophisticated understanding of aerodynamics at a moment when turbo power, fuel limits, and downforce demanded increasingly advanced solutions.
In appearance, the 97T is considered one of the most beautiful cars of the 1980s. Its low, wide stance, tightly sculpted bodywork, and gold-striped black JPS colours created an instantly recognisable silhouette. The shape was purposeful, aggressive, and elegant — a hallmark of Ducarouge’s design philosophy and one of the final expressions of Lotus’s classic visual identity.
Today, the Lotus 97T/2 is remembered as one of the most significant Lotus cars of the modern era. It launched Ayrton Senna onto the world stage, delivered multiple victories, and proved that Lotus could once again challenge the best teams in Formula One. It was a perfect blend of Renault turbo power, balanced aerodynamics, and driver brilliance — a car that captured the imagination of fans and remains one of the most celebrated machines in the long and storied history of Team Lotus.