Sculptor Paul Oz unveils stunning new Senna bronze

©PaulOz

British sculptor Paul Oz unveiled on Wednesday his second bronze homage to Ayrton Senna, a stunning life-size work that celebrates the Brazilian's maiden F1 win achieved at Estoril on April 21, 1985.

On this day 36 years ago, Senna wrote the first chapter of his legendary life as an F1 driver by winning the rain-soaked Portuguese Grand Prix, the 25-year-old mastering onboard his JPS Lotus-Renault the treacherous conditions of a race that saw him lap everyone but Ferrari's Michele Alboreto.

Oz, whose first Senna bronze famously portrayed the great Brazilian seated in his McLaren negotiating Eau Rouge at Spa, a work commemorating the 25th anniversary of the three-time world champion's passing, unveiled his latest masterpiece on social media on Wednesday.

"Today in 1985, the greatest icon of F1 took his first win, in horrendous conditions in Estoril," wrote the British portrait artist and sculptor.

"My life-size bronze statue celebrates this and my earliest memories of the sport - the black and gold of JPS Lotus."

Oz's sculptor depicts Senna seated on the Estoril track behind his Lotus as he waits for assistance after breaking down during practice.

Senna's Portuguese Grand Prix win was not only a landmark win for the latter, and perhaps his greatest triumph, it was also a watershed moment for Team Lotus which had won just one race - the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix thanks to Elio de Angelis - in the previous six seasons.

Senna, who had started his career in F1 with Toleman in 1984, would go on later in the 1985 season to deliver a second win to Lotus, also in wet conditions, at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.