Six examples of the type 99T chassis were manufactured by Team Lotus for the 1987 season for drivers Senna and team mate Satoru Nakajima. The 99T/4 on display at Earls Court was exclusively driven by Senna and earned him the winning spot on the podium at both the Monaco and Detroit Grand Prix races.
The 99T/4 completed 6,129 miles during the season and Senna used it for his best times in qualifying for the San Marino, German, Austrian, Italian, Spanish and Australian GPs. He raced the car in 11 GPs, gaining six podium finishes.
The 1.5 litre Honda turbo V6 engine produces an estimated 1,000 horsepower. Acceleration (0-62mph) takes only 2.5 seconds with a top speed of 205 mph. During race time engines would be replaced at a maximum of 311 miles. Super soft qualifying tires lasted 12.5 miles and harder race tires lasted up to 199 miles.
“Ayrton Senna is arguably the world’s greatest ever racing driver. At The Macallan Lounge, visitors can learn about the inner workings of Senna’s F1 car from 1987, the very car he raced to victory in Monaco and Detroit, whilst enjoying a complimentary dram of the Macallan single malt,” stated a spokesperson for The Macallan single malt whisky.
The 2010 MPH The Prestige and Performance Motor Show powered by Shell V-Power featuring Top Gear Live will take place at Earls Court from November 4-7 and the NEC in Birmingham, between November 11-14.
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