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Toleman

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Toleman
Full nameToleman Motorsport
BaseWitney, Oxfordshire, UK
Team principal(s)Alex Hawkridge
Founder(s)Ted Toleman
Alex Hawkridge
Noted staff
Noted drivers
Next nameBenetton Formula
Formula One World Championship career
First entry1981 San Marino Grand Prix
Races entered70 (57 starts)
Constructors'
Championships		0 (best finish: 7th, 1984)
Drivers'
Championships		0
Race victories0 (best finish: 2nd, 1984 Monaco Grand Prix)
Pole positions1
Fastest laps2
Final entry1985 Australian Grand Prix

Toleman Motorsport was a Formula One constructor based in the UK. It participated in Formula One between 1981 and 1985, competing in 70 Grands Prix. Today, it is perhaps best known for giving Ayrton Senna his Formula One debut.

The team was generally uncompetitive during its short lifetime, prompting Senna to leave after just one year. However, several of its engineers, including Rory Byrne and Pat Symonds, stayed with the team after its sale to the Benetton Group and eventually built the organisation into the title-winning Benetton Formula. As such, Toleman is the progenitor of the racing lineage informally known as "Team Enstone."

Origins

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The Toleman company was formed in 1926 by Edward Toleman for the purpose of delivering Ford cars from their factory in Old Trafford, Manchester. Within two years, the company moved to Dagenham, London, along with the Ford factory before settling in Brentwood, Essex. In the 1950s, Edward's son Albert took over the reins of the company. In 1966, Albert died leaving his elder son Ted as the chairman with the younger son Bob becoming joint managing director.[1]

In the 1970s, Ted and Alex began their involvement in various car racing formulae in the UK. Ted was also noted for his involvement in off-shore powerboat racing.[2] In 1977, Toleman Motorsport entered an eponymous team in British Formula Ford 2000.

By 1978, Toleman were running a March chassis for Rad Dougall in British Formula Two. During that year, Toleman MD Alex Hawkridge hired former Royale Racing designer Rory Byrne but continued to use a customer chassis in 1979, purchasing a pair of Ralts (RT2s) and engines from Brian Hart. Rad Dougall was joined by Brian Henton in the expanded team. Henton finished 2nd in that year's championship standings.[3]

The following year, the team built their own chassis, designed by Byrne and John Gentry but based on the Ralt. Powered again by Hart engines, running on Pirelli tyres, supported by BP and driven by Henton and Derek Warwick, the team finished 1st and 2nd in the European Formula 2 Championship.[4]

Formula One

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Toleman entered Formula One for the 1981 season. Although Hawkridge admitted that the team was not ready to compete that year, he explained that the team had a short window of opportunity to enter the top level, because the FISA side of the FISA–FOCA war wanted to add teams to improve its political position against the established FOCA teams like Brabham, McLaren, and Williams.[5] Toleman would later refuse to join FOCA's boycott of the 1982 San Marino Grand Prix.[6]

Toleman sought to distinguish itself from other small teams by obtaining a works-team supply of turbocharger engines from Hart.[7] By that time, Formula One was beginning to be dominated by turbo-powered cars, which outpaced the naturally aspirated engines previously dominant in the sport. Looking back, Pat Symonds remarked that "if Alex and Ted Toleman had said, 'Let's go F1 racing, let's buy a [naturally aspirated Cosworth] DFV,' we'd have been a hell of a lot more successful in 1981 – but we wouldn’t have been around by 1990. We'd have been just another team."[8]

1981–1982: Difficult early years

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Toleman suffered greatly in the short run, due to growing pains associated with the innovative turbo technology and other issues. During this period, Toleman's cars were mocked in the racing press as "The Pig" (for their poor handling) and "The Belgrano" (for their oil leaks).[9]

In 1981, the team retained Brian Henton and Derek Warwick from 1980's dominant F2 campaign, but the Toleman TG181 was exceptionally poor, qualifying for just two races all season. Warwick remarked that the car was "impossible to drive" and that "we weren't just slow: we were seven seconds a lap off the back row."[9] The team failed to qualify for a race until September, when Henton made the cut for the Italian Grand Prix.[10] Warwick qualified for the final race of the season, winning a £25,000 bet for doing so.[9]

The Toleman TG183

In 1982, the team managed to start qualifying consistently for races, but finished only two races all season, due in large part to engine reliability issues.[5] Upgraded TG181Cs were used by Warwick and newcomer Teo Fabi until the carbon-composite Toleman TG183 was ready in late August. The TG183 was used in only two Grands Prix (Italy and Las Vegas) that year, but Warwick did record the team's first fastest lap in the Dutch Grand Prix.

With sponsor Candy threatening to pull funding for 1983, the team resorted to a gimmick strategy to reach second place at the British Grand Prix, however briefly. The team started Warwick on a half-tank of petrol, giving him a speed advantage over the other drivers' fully-loaded cars. However, Warwick ran out of fuel after 40 laps. The team lied to the press that Warwick had suffered a mechanical failure.[9]

1983: Emergence as a serious team

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In 1983, the TG183B showed improved form thanks to a major update. Derek Warwick was retained, while Teo Fabi was replaced by Bruno Giacomelli. The budget increased as Candy's sponsorship was joined by Iveco brand Magirus and BP.

The Hart turbos finally began showing true pace, with Warwick qualifying fifth and sixth in the first two races.[5] The team peaked at the end of the season: Warwick scored the team's first points with a fourth-place finish at the Dutch Grand Prix, kicking off a run of four consecutive scoring finishes to close out the year.[5] Toleman finished 9th in the Constructors' Championship with ten points, putting itself a cut above the other backmarkers like Arrows, Theodore, Ligier, Spirit, ATS, Osella, and RAM, none of which scored more than four points.

1984: Peaking with Ayrton Senna

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In 1984, Warwick departed for the factory Renault team,[11] while Giacomelli left F1 for CART. In response, the team scored a coup by signing highly touted rookie Ayrton Senna, who had just won the 1983 British Formula Three Championship. Senna tested for Toleman and immediately developed a rapport with Byrne, who begged Hawkridge to sign him.[5] However, Senna knew that he had the talent to race for a top team – Bernie Ecclestone had considered signing him for Brabham until his star driver, reigning Drivers' Champion Nelson Piquet, vetoed the idea[12] – and negotiated a relatively low £100,000 release clause from Toleman.[5][13] Senna was paired with Venezuelan F2 driver and former dual Grand Prix Motorcycle World Champion Johnny Cecotto. However, Cecotto's F1 career ended mid-season when he broke both legs during practice for the British Grand Prix, and Stefan Johansson was eventually signed to finish out the season.

Toleman got off to a poor start, as the team was still using the 1983 cars for the first four races of 1984.[5] Senna made his F1 debut at the Brazilian Grand Prix, at Jacarepaguá.[14] He qualified an unimpressive 17th (Cecotto qualified 18th), and both drivers retired with engine failures.[5][15] However, Senna rallied to score his first F1 point at round 2 in Kyalami, despite suffering major front wing damage on the opening lap.[5] He also scored at the following race at Spa-Francorchamps, but only after Tyrrell's Stefan Bellof was disqualified from the entire season due to technical infringements.[5]

The demanding Senna quickly grew disillusioned with the team's Pirelli tyres;[16] no Pirelli driver scored points through round 5 of the season, except Senna.[17] At Imola, the team sat out the first day of qualifying due to disputes with Pirelli, which along with a fuel pressure problem on the second day, contributed to Senna's failure to qualify for the race (the only time he failed to qualify in his entire career). Following the race, Senna successfully induced Toleman to break its Pirelli contract and sign with Michelin.[16] Ironically, this decision eventually led to Toleman's demise and absorption by the Benetton Group in 1985 (see below).

Ayrton Senna's Toleman TG184 car in which he took second place at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix.

The TG184 and the new Michelin tyres were ready for the French Grand Prix. Although both drivers retired, Senna was delighted with the immediate improvement in performance.[16] The very next race, Senna announced himself to the world with a dazzling second-place finish at the torrentially rain-soaked Monaco Grand Prix.[18] When Jacky Ickx controversially called off the race after lap 31 of 78, Senna was closing in on leader Alain Prost, whose brakes were repeatedly locking up due to a deteriorating brake balance. In the following years, a conspiracy theory developed that Ickx, a Porsche sportscar driver, called off the race to ensure that Prost's Porsche-powered McLaren would win.[17][19][20] However, Bellof's (later-disqualified) Tyrell was actually faster than Senna at the end of the race,[17] and Senna's suspension was already on the verge of failure.[citation needed]

The team's performance fell off in mid-season, with Senna finishing only one out of six races at one point. In addition, Cecotto finished only two out of nine races that season. The lone bright spot, of sorts, was the British Grand Prix. The weekend was marred by Cecotto's injury, but Senna qualified fourth and scored his second Formula One podium. Fighting for third, he "hound[ed] [Elio] de Angelis unmercifully" and picked up the position with two laps to go once de Angelis' engine faltered. Following the race, he received a large ovation from the Brands Hatch crowd.[21]

Towards the end of the season, Senna announced his departure, having triggered his release clause to sign with Team Lotus. In response, Hawkridge suspended Senna for the Italian Grand Prix; release clause or not, the Brazilian was still contractually obligated to inform Toleman before negotiating with other teams.[22] Pierluigi Martini filled in for Senna at Monza. Cecotto's belated replacement Stefan Johansson made his way from 17th place to 4th in his Toleman debut,[23] while Martini failed to qualify. Senna returned to the team for the final two races and finished off the year in style with a third podium at the Portuguese Grand Prix.

Toleman finished a career-best 7th in the Constructors' Championship, scoring 16 points, 13 courtesy of Senna. Senna also recorded the only three podiums in the team's history.

1985: Near-collapse and sale to Benetton

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Following Senna's departure, the Toleman team sought to maintain its momentum by retaining Johansson and signing John Watson for the 1985 season.[23] In addition, that year's TG185 was the first carbon monocoque to be fabricated in-house at the Witney factory.[3]

However, the team nearly collapsed due to a lack of tyre supply. Michelin withdrew from F1 at the end of 1984, but Pirelli was unwilling to supply Toleman again after the events of 1984,[8] and Goodyear was equally upset at Hawkridge due to the manner in which Toleman switched from Goodyear to Pirelli in Formula Two. As a result, Toleman was forced to sit out the first three races of the 1985 season, and Johansson quit the team to join Tyrell and later Ferrari.[23] Toleman did not re-enter F1 until Italian fashion label United Colors of Benetton purchased the team in mid-season and acquired a Pirelli supply contract from the defunct Spirit team.[8][24] Benetton kept the Toleman name until season's-end.[8]

The team returned in round 4 at Monaco, but only had the budget to run one car (piloted by Teo Fabi) for the first six races. Piercarlo Ghinzani joined Fabi for the final seven races, as the team declined to meet Watson's demands to be paid for the entire season, including the races Toleman sat out due to lack of tyres.[citation needed] Toleman's final year in F1 was as unsuccessful as its early years, as the team finished only two races and scored no points. The team's high point was Fabi's pole position at the German Grand Prix.[25]

Ted Toleman left England in 1993,[26] but intermittently remained involved in motor racing, managing the the Australian Mini Challenge one make series.[27]

Complete Formula One results

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(key)

Year Chassis Engines Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1981 TG181 Hart 415T 1.5 L4 t P USW BRA ARG SMR BEL MON ESP FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN CPL 0 NC
United Kingdom Brian Henton DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 10 DNQ DNQ
United Kingdom Derek Warwick DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ Ret
1982 TG181B
TG181C
TG183 		Hart 415T 1.5 L4 t P RSA BRA USW SMR BEL MON DET CAN NED GBR FRA GER AUT SUI ITA CPL 0 NC
United Kingdom Derek Warwick Ret DNQ DNPQ Ret Ret DNQ RetF Ret 15 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret
Italy Teo Fabi DNQ DNQ DNQ NC Ret DNPQ DNQ Ret Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret DNQ
1983 TG183
TG183B 		Hart 415T 1.5 L4 t P BRA USW FRA SMR MON BEL DET CAN GBR GER AUT NED ITA EUR RSA 10 9th
United Kingdom Derek Warwick 8 Ret Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 6 5 4
Italy Bruno Giacomelli Ret Ret 13† Ret DNQ 8 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 13 7 6 Ret
1984 TG183B
TG184 		Hart 415T 1.5 L4 t P
M 		BRA RSA BEL SMR FRA MON CAN DET DAL GBR GER AUT NED ITA EUR POR 16 7th
Brazil Ayrton Senna Ret 6 6 DNQ Ret 2F‡ 7 Ret Ret 3 Ret Ret Ret Ret 3
Sweden Stefan Johansson 4 Ret 11
Venezuela Johnny Cecotto Ret Ret Ret NC Ret Ret 9 Ret Ret DNQ
Italy Pierluigi Martini DNQ
1985 TG185 Hart 415T 1.5 L4 t P BRA POR SMR MON CAN DET FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA BEL EUR RSA AUS 0 NC
Italy Teo Fabi Ret Ret Ret 14† Ret RetP Ret Ret 12 Ret Ret Ret Ret
Italy Piercarlo Ghinzani DNS Ret DNS Ret Ret Ret Ret
Notes
  • † – The driver did not finish the Grand Prix, but was classified, as he completed over 90% of the race distance.
  • ‡ – Half points awarded as less than 75% of the race distance was completed.

References

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  1. ^ Hilton, p.8.
  2. ^ "8W - When? - 1983 Race of Champions". Forix.com. 10 April 1983. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  3. ^ a b "Toleman Motorsport Profile - Teams - GP Encyclopedia - F1 History on Grandprix.com". Grandprix.com. 10 March 2007. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  4. ^ Codling, Stuart (16 May 2022). "The underdog F1 squad that thrust Senna into the limelight". Autosport. Retrieved 17 May 2022.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Elson, James (17 May 2024). "The story of Ayrton Senna's first F1 car – the Toleman TG183B". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  6. ^ Diepraam, Mattijs (21 November 2007). "Poachers turned gamekeepers: how the FOCA became the new FIA". forix.autosport.com. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  7. ^ Smith, Damien (2 October 2023). "Benetton: when F1 was in fashion". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 11 December 2024.
  8. ^ a b c d Smith, Damien (2 October 2023). "Benetton: when F1 was in fashion". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  9. ^ a b c d Taylor, Simon (7 July 2014). "Lunch With... Derek Warwick". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  10. ^ "Birthday bell Toles for Team Enstone". Motor Sport magazine. October 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  11. ^ "Derek Warwick in focus". Funo. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  12. ^ Malik, Ibrar (22 April 2020). "Ayrton Senna's Lotus years, by Ibrar Malik". Talking About F1. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  13. ^ Straw, Edd (24 August 2022). "10 times F1 drivers didn't see out their contracts". The Race. Retrieved 15 October 2024.
  14. ^ "1984 Brazilian Grand Prix". GP Archive. 25 March 1984. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  15. ^ "F1 - The Official Home of Formula 1® Racing". Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  16. ^ a b c Noble, Jonathan (6 May 2021). "The day Ayrton Senna failed to qualify for an F1 grand prix". Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  17. ^ a b c Collantine, Keith (3 June 2024). "40 years ago today: How a tyre war prompted Senna's unfinished Monaco masterpiece". RaceFans. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  18. ^ "F1 - The Official Home of Formula 1® Racing". Formula 1® - The Official F1® Website. Retrieved 1 December 2024.
  19. ^ Craig Normansell (24 May 2011). "Top 5 Monaco Grand Prix". Badger GP. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  20. ^ "Monaco Grand Prix 1984 - Interview Ickx". Sportscars TV. Retrieved 7 February 2014.
  21. ^ "1984 British Grand Prix race report - A four-ring circus". Motor Sport Magazine. 7 July 2014. Retrieved 22 January 2025.
  22. ^ "Remembering Ayrton Senna's Toleman Year". www.alpine-cars.co.uk. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 14 October 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Taylor, Simon (7 July 2014). "Lunch with... Stefan Johansson". Motor Sport Magazine. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  24. ^ "MCZ F1 Teams: Toleman Info Page". Mcz.com. Retrieved 7 November 2012.
  25. ^ Williams, Richard (23 April 2024). "Ted Toleman obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  26. ^ "Ted Toleman, boss of the underdog Formula One team that gave Ayrton Senna his first drive – obituary". Yahoo Sports. 3 May 2024. Retrieved 23 January 2025.
  27. ^ "Australian MINI CHALLENGE under new management". AUSmotive.com. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2025.

Further reading

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