The Lotus 97T, famously driven by Ayrton Senna after signing for Lotus in 1985.

Ray used his own reference photograph, taken at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2025, as the inspiration for this hyperrealistic pastel painting. Focusing on the side profile of the car, he stripped away the distractions of its surroundings and set the Lotus against a moody black background, allowing its distinctive shape, details and iconic livery to take centre stage.

The result is a dramatic study of one of Formula 1’s most recognisable cars, capturing both the character of the Lotus 97T and the legacy of the driver who helped make it famous.

Ray chose this subject to challenge himself technically, focusing on achieving a high level of realism in a metallic form. Particular attention was given to the contrast between the sharp, grimy detail of the foreground and the soft, blurred depth of the receding background, emphasising both material texture and spatial depth.