This year’s 82nd Members’ Meeting presented by Audrain Motorsport will pay tribute to one of the most iconic moments in Formula 1 history—Ayrton Senna’s first Grand Prix victory at the 1985 Portuguese Grand Prix. Marking the 40th anniversary of this milestone, a special on-track demonstration will see his nephew, Bruno Senna, take the wheel of the legendary Lotus 97T, supported by Classic Team Lotus.
The event, scheduled for Saturday 12 and Sunday 13 April, will celebrate Ayrton Senna’s breathtaking drive at Estoril, where he dominated in torrential conditions to claim his first-ever Formula 1 victory from pole position. The Lotus 97T, resplendent in its iconic John Player Special livery, will once again thunder around the Goodwood Motor Circuit, evoking memories of a career that forever changed the sport.
Classic Team Lotus has meticulously maintained the Lotus 97T, a machine that has graced the Festival of Speed hillclimb and was last seen at Goodwood in 2021 for a tribute marking 30 years since Senna’s final championship win. The upcoming demonstration will be a poignant moment, following in the footsteps of the deeply moving tribute at the 78th Members’ Meeting when Bruno Senna piloted his uncle’s 1991 title-winning McLaren MP4/6 around the circuit.
Goodwood’s tribute is just the first chapter in this anniversary celebration. Following the Members’ Meeting, Classic Team Lotus will transport the 97T back to Estoril, where Bruno Senna will once again get behind the wheel on the exact anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s triumph—a symbolic and emotional return to the track where his uncle’s legend was truly born.
Reflecting on this historic occasion, Clive Chapman of Classic Team Lotus shared his thoughts: “Ayrton’s first win was a great moment for him, Team Lotus, and F1 as a whole. He always considered Estoril to be his greatest race. It was also a significant milestone for Team Lotus, marking our first win since Colin Chapman’s passing. Maintaining the car in running condition is a privilege, and seeing Bruno drive it at Estoril on the 40th anniversary will be incredibly emotional. We’re thrilled to share this passion with the fans at Goodwood.”
The Duke of Richmond CBE DL echoed this sentiment, expressing his enthusiasm for the tribute: “I am delighted that we will celebrate Ayrton Senna’s extraordinary life and career at this year’s Members’ Meeting. We are incredibly grateful to Clive Chapman and Classic Team Lotus for bringing the Lotus 97T to Goodwood before its historic return to Estoril. Having witnessed Bruno’s emotional lap in the McLaren MP4/6 at Goodwood in 2021, I am certain this will be another unforgettable tribute to one of Formula 1’s greatest drivers.”
The Lotus 97T demonstration is set to be a standout moment in an action-packed weekend that also features the much-anticipated GT3 competitive Shoot-Out and an all-sustainable fuel race lineup, including the newly introduced Win Percy Trophy.
Tickets for the 82nd Members’ Meeting are available at goodwood.com and can be purchased exclusively by Members and Fellows of the Goodwood Road Racing Club. For those yet to join, the Goodwood Road Racing Club offers a host of year-round benefits, making this the perfect opportunity to be part of an event steeped in motorsport heritage and emotion.
As the motorsport world comes together to honour Ayrton Senna’s legacy, the 82nd Members’ Meeting promises to be an unforgettable celebration of skill, passion, and history.
