If there is something that will remain in the memory of Senna’s fans from his team Lotus period more than his first 6 wins, it is above all, his reputation of poleman that he has acquired through memorable performances that have made him the fastest driver in F1. Especially during the 85 and 86 seasons, when the Lotus powered by the Renault Turbo engine was clearly the fastest car, even though its engine wasn't the most reliable.
At that time, Ayrton Senna was Nicknamed the "black pearl" by some journalists like his countryman Pelé, because of the colours of his JPS Lotus car and overalls, and his natural talent. His french engineer at Lotus Gérard Ducarouge knew he was envied by many top teams because he had a true pearl under contract that only lacked a frugal and reliable engine to see the chequered flag more often preferably in 1st position. So he knew that sooner or later, if he couldn't provide him with the best material to win Grand Prix AND the world championship, he would lose him to some other top team.
Unfortunatly for Ducarouge and the Lotus team, the best engine there at the time, the Honda, a disconcerting active suspension maybe brought on track too soon, and the limited budget of a new sponsor, Camel, didn't help them keep their precious pearl beyond 1987.
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Still, this particular and relatively short period of Senna's F1 career stays in the History somehow as the happiest stage in his long path towards world championships, and the JPS Lotus Renault as one of the most exciting and elegant F1 cars he ever drove.
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