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Scalextric C4234 Lotus 97T - Portugese GP 1985 - Ayrton Senna. RRP £53.99. Available now.

The two Senna Lotus models first appeared in the 2021 Scalextric catalogue and - after a long wait - the first has just arrived at the Hornby warehouse in Kent. These images are of pre-production samples, but this is pretty much what the cars in the crates look like...

       

Although a very nice mould decorated with a crisp JPS livery, the lack of Goodyear decals on the tyres and of detail on the helmet is a surprise. It's probable that there are licensing issues involved and - if that's the case - it's a shame such things get in the way of producing what is clearly meant as a tribute to one of the most talented racing drivers of all time.

Estoril in 1985 was the scene of Ayrton Senna's first Grand Prix victory. With sensational performances in the lower formulae and in F1 with Toleman, no-one was in any doubt that Senna was someone very special. Portugal was the second race of 1985 season and Senna's second outing with a moderately competitive team. Practice was taken up trying to sort out a misfire that had plagued his 97T in Brazil - and his spare car broke down out on the circuit... However, the Lotus mechanics did their job, with Senna top in both qualifying sessions and beating Alain Prost's erstwhile dominant McLaren by 0.413 of a second.

       

Rain was falling on the morning of the race and continued throughout the day. Senna coped perfectly with the pressure of starting on pole and with the atrocious conditions, getting away smoothly and then keeping the car in the highest gear possible. It was a masterclass from the 23-year-old Brazilian - driving away into the distance and lapping every car apart from the Ferrari of second placed Michele Alboreto. As he pulled into the pit lane at the end of the race, Senna was already half-way out of the cockpit, overcome with emotion - it was an iconic moment...

       

Writing in MotorSport magazine, legendary F1 journalist Alan Henry said at the time...

It would probably be a very slight exaggeration to suggest that Ayrton Senna has brought a fresh standard of driving excellence to Formula One simply on the strength of his splendid flag-to-flag victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril, but it wouldn’t be too much of an exaggeration. It was a masterly performance.

Henry highlighted Senna's qualifying result as worthy of excitement in itself, but the maturity he showed in the race - as far more experienced drivers failed to control their turbo-powered cars on the sodden track - was simply remarkable. But it didn't stop there - Senna's thoughtful reflections on his race was something that suggested to journalists and fans that Senna was simply a breed apart.

Looking back 30 years later, this short video is well worth a look - although for licensing reasons, you'll have to watch it directly on the F1 YouTube channel here: https://youtu.be/JRIOKRHhOto



What is it about all this licensing malarkey? I have the romantic notion that our beloved sport belongs to the fans

The Scalextric JPS Lotus 97T is available now from the Scalextric website and will be with retailers soon. The C4251 Camel 99T from the 1987 Monaco race and the C1432 Scalextric 1980s Grand Prix set - containing both Senna Lotus cars -  aren't far away.