- Original engine, used in qualifying at Adelaïde by Ayrton Senna (3rd place)

- Delivered in its original Renault Sport flight case

- Known history with Lotus 98T

In 1985 and 1986, this 1494cc V6 turbocharged engine with 800 hp at 12 5000 rpm, was

used in Renault, Lotus, Tyrrell and Ligier Formula 1 cars. It was responsible for three victories and eight pole positions in 1985 and two victories and eight pole positions in 1986. For this final season of the Turbo era, Renault, under the direction of Jean-Pierre Boudy, introduced use of ‘pneumatic valve springs’. This was a major innovation that was

taken up across the entire grid over the following seasons. This device enabled an increase in power by substituting the valve return springs that had limited the engine speed. The EF15 Type E turbocharged V6 engine we are presenting features this ingenious pneumatic distribution system and was used by Team Lotus during the 1986 season.

Thanks to the archives at Viry-Châtillon, we have confirmed that it was used on Lotus 98 T cars for the 1986 season during the following events:

Qualifying at Imola and Monaco with Dumfries

Race Saturday at Detroit with Senna

Budapest Grand Prix with Dumfries, finishing 5th

Qualifying at Adelaide with Senna on 31 October, finishing 3rd

on the grid while Ayrton Senna was still in contention for the drivers’ title.

Engine no. 381 is sold with its Renault Sport transport crate and appears to be complete. In the manufacturer’s archives, it is classified as a used engine. It is a genuine collector’s item used by Ayrton Senna, but it could also be completely restored in the Viry-Châtillon workshops.