Ayrton Senna | 1985 Rainmaster 35th Anniversary Estoril Silver | Collector's Edition Lotus 97T Poster

Story behind

Rainmaster

Ayrton Senna's remarkable talent was fully displayed during the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, where he showcased it in just the second race of his second season, clinching victory while driving the Renault-powered Lotus 97T. Despite the atrociously wet conditions at Estoril, Senna demonstrated his unparalleled skill in wet weather. In just 15 laps, he managed to distance himself from his pursuers with his trademark control and speed, avoiding wheelspin by always being in the highest gear possible. By the end of the race, Senna, in his now-legendary black and gold Lotus, had lapped the entire field at least once, save for the second-placed driver. This commanding performance not only marked his debut win in Formula 1 but also showed the first signs of his future greatness as a master of wet conditions. The rest, as they say, is history.