1984 Toleman TG184 driven by Ayrton Senna, by Tony Hisgett, via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0 (CREDIT LINKS AT THE END OF THE CONTENT)
When we talk about Toleman, it instantly brings back memories of Senna, the team where the journey of a Brazilian legend truly began.
But it’s more than just their results, Toleman still resonates deeply with fans, who keep coming back to relive the team’s memories and celebrate its legacy.
The past is full of stories about teams that came and went, like Connew, Hesketh, and many others, but what makes Toleman’s story different?
Toleman: Before F1 and Turbo Era
Before entering Formula 1, Toleman competed in European Formula Two in 1980, where they dominated the season with a one-two finish in the championship. That was the moment the team realized they belonged in F1 and were ready to take the next step forward.
We know just how tough it was for new teams in the early 1980s. Lotus was dominating the grid, BMW arrived with their powerful new engines, McLaren was starting to grow into a serious contender, and Renault was already ahead with their turbocharged power units.
Meanwhile, the naturally aspirated Cosworth engines were beginning to fall behind, unable to match the pace of the new turbo cars. At a time when many teams were experimenting with innovations never seen before in Formula 1, breaking into the sport was a monumental challenge for Toleman.
Yet, Toleman wanted something new, they had ambition and they refused to stay back, all they wanted was F1.
Formula One Entry: 1981–1982
After dominating the Formula Two championship, Toleman brought their F2 drivers into Formula 1 for their first season in 1981.
However, the season proved to be a disaster. The TG181 was far from competitive, and the drivers struggled just to qualify for the races.
Toleman TG181
The TG181 was the team’s very first F1 car, and from the start, it showed just how tough the jump to Formula 1 could be. Designed by Rory Byrne, the car was heavy, underpowered, and constantly unreliable, while the Hart turbo engine proved fragile.
For Brian Henton and Derek Warwick, simply finishing a race felt like a victory, as the team struggled to keep up with the more established squads.
Toleman TG181B and TG181C in 1982
The updated TG181B and TG181C brought some minor improvements in 1982, but the core problems remained.
Once again, reliability issues plagued Toleman, forcing the team to endure tough lessons. It wasn’t until their 1983 chassis that everything came together, finally giving them the competitive car they had been striving for.
Rising Competitiveness: 1983
For 1983, everything changed for Toleman. Derek Warwick became the team’s first-ever points scorer, finishing an impressive fourth at both the Italian and South African Grands Prix.
Toleman TG183
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The new TG183 marked a major step forward, transforming Toleman from perennial backmarkers into consistent midfield contenders and points scorers, especially during the second half of the season. Designed once again by Rory Byrne, the car featured a much-improved Hart 415T turbo engine, and these upgrades allowed Warwick and Bruno Giacomelli to deliver solid, competitive results throughout the year.
Ayrton Senna and the 1984 Breakthrough
A season to remember, the year that changed Formula 1 forever. One name stands out for a reason: Ayrton Senna. It was also the most iconic period in Toleman’s F1 story.
Ayrton Senna made his Formula 1 debut with Toleman in 1984, the man who would go on to become a three-time World Champion and is still remembered as one of the greatest drivers in F1 history.
Toleman TG184
The TG184 was a far more competitive car, designed by Rory Byrne and Pat Symonds. It featured clever aerodynamics, including a unique double-decker rear wing, and allowed Ayrton Senna to claim three podiums during the season, the iconic Monaco Grand Prix, the British Grand Prix, and the Portuguese Grand Prix. Stefan Johansson also scored points later in the season, helping the team amass a total of 16 points overall.
While Toleman never secured a Grand Prix win, the 1984 season was their peak, culminating in 7th place in the Constructors’ Championship.
Ayrton Senna Monaco GP 1984
And where it all truly exploded for the Brazilian was the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix. Starting from P13, Senna delivered a remarkable drive in heavy rain, chasing down the leaders lap after lap and almost taking the win, eventually finishing a stunning second. The race saw controversy as Alain Prost protested the conditions, and the stewards stopped the race a lap early for safety reasons. This decision cost Prost valuable points, he received only half points at Monaco, and ultimately lost the championship by half a point to Niki Lauda. For Senna, it was heartbreak as well; he had been closing in on Prost every lap, and what could have been a historic victory became one of the most legendary drives in F1 history.
Let’s not forget about the rest of the weekend. Behind them, the man flying through the race was Stefan Bellof, who many believe could easily have finished first or second. The German legend was even faster on the day, already holding the Nürburgring lap record from 1983, set in the Porsche 956.
1985: Struggles and Sale to Benetton
Financial struggles became the team’s main problem, and 1985 ultimately proved to be Toleman’s final season, compounded by tire supply disputes that left the team in an uncertain position. Midway through the year, the team was purchased by the Italian fashion company Benetton, which would later go on to win multiple championships in the 1990s with Michael Schumacher.
You can’t help but wonder, if Toleman had entered Formula 1 a few years earlier, maybe in the mid-1970s, things could have been very different. The team had ambition, a clear vision, and a hunger to compete. They already knew how to push hard, how to race smart, and how to fight for victories. It’s easy to imagine them carving out a stronger place in the sport if they had arrived just a little sooner.
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Remembering Toleman F1 Team
Winning in Formula 1 isn’t the only way to be remembered. There are many ways to leave a lasting mark, and Toleman did just that by bringing Ayrton Senna into F1. That is why the team remains unforgettable to fans. The sad truth, however, is that they entered the sport during one of its most challenging eras. In the early 1980s, F1 was evolving rapidly, and for new teams, competing with the established giants was always an uphill battle.
FEATURED IMAGE CREDITS:
1984 Toleman TG184 driven by Ayrton Senna, by Tony Hisgett, via Flickr, licensed under CC BY 2.0
