The Lotus 98T driven by three-time Formula 1 World Champion Ayrton Senna during the 1986 season could sell for $12m when it crosses the block in RM Sotheby’s Sealed auction on 4 March 2026.
Chassis 98T-3 is one of Grand Prix cars Team Lotus built for the 1986 season. Said to have been driven exclusively by Senna, 98T-3 claimed two race victories, three podium finishes and five pole positions across eight events.
The 98T was the final John Player Special-liveried Lotus Formula 1 car. Beneath the iconic black-and-gold colours lies a 1.5-litre turbocharged Renault V6 that is believed to have developed more than 1000bhp in qualifying trim.
98T-3 retired from period competition halfway through the 1986 campaign. Senna finished the season fourth in the driver’s standings, behind Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet.
The car was sold by Lotus in 1988 and later passed through a number of notable collectors before being acquired by the consigning owner in 2016. Since then, it has been restored by British engineering firm Lanzante and is described by RM Sotheby’s as ‘ready to race’.
Senna’s former car is estimated to fetch between $9m and $12m.
