For Auction: Ayrton Senna’s 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix Steering wheel

By: Alex Affat, Unique Cars magazine

Date: 13.06.2019

From Senna’s Lotus 98T, used in the 1986 Brazilian GP where he took pole and finished 2nd

Up for auction in the coming days,  is the steering wheel from Ayrton Senna’s Lotus 98T, used in the 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix where he took pole position in qualifying and 2^nd place overall.

It will go under the hammer at Artcurial’s "Racing, Flying & Yachting" sale on June 16.

The rare piece of Senna memorabilia is estimated to fetch between AU$11,500-AU$16,000.

Michel Royer is the current owner of the Senna twirler, and was an engineer for Renault Motorsport in 1985 and 1986, who supplied engines to Team Lotus at the time.

Ayrton Senna and Team Lotus gifted the wheel to Royer, complete with hand-written thank you and signed.

Lotus’ 98T was one of the most powerful cars ever used in F1, powered by a 1.5lt Renault Gordini 90-degree V6 that was capable of over 1,000hp in unrestricted qualifying trim.

Throughout 1986, the Lotus 98T would be driven by Senna and Johnny Dumfries to eight poles, eight podiums and two wins out of 16 races.

Included in the sale of the steering wheel is a written and signed attestation by Royer.

Senna memorabilia frequently changes hands for hundreds of thousands of dollars. Recently, a helmet worn by Senna during the 1990 F1 season sold for more than AU$235,880 – though value projections for the Lotus wheel here is likely hampered by the lack of Senna autograph.

However, it’s still a race-used-by-Senna item, so we wouldn’t be surprised if this rare collectible exceeds its top-end estimate.

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