Toleman TG184

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Toleman TG184
Toleman TG184B
Toleman TG184 front-right 2012 Autosport International.jpg
The TG184 of Ayrton Senna on display at the 2012 Autosport International
Category Formula One
Constructor Toleman
Designer(s) Rory Byrne
Pat Symonds
Brian Hart (engine)
Predecessor TG183B
Successor TG185
Technical specifications [1]
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbones, pull-rod actuated coil springs over dampers
Suspension (rear)double wishbones, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers
Axle track Front: 1,765 mm (69.5 in)
Rear: 1,676 mm (66.0 in)
Wheelbase 2,800 mm (110 in)
Engine Hart 415T, 1,459 cc (89.0 cu in), Straight 4, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Hewland 5-speed manual
Fuel Agip
Tyres Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Toleman Group Motorsport
Notable drivers19. Flag of Brazil.svg Ayrton Senna
20. Flag of Venezuela.svg Johnny Cecotto
19. / 20. Flag of Sweden.svg Stefan Johansson
20. Flag of Italy.svg Pierluigi Martini
Debut 1984 French Grand Prix
Last event 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
120301
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Toleman TG184 is a Formula One racing car designed by Rory Byrne and Pat Symonds and was used by Toleman Motorsport during the majority of the 1984 Formula One season.

Contents

Engine

Like its predecessor, the TG183B, the TG184 was powered by the 4 cylinder turbocharged Hart 415T engine which produced approximately 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) in 1984.

Racing history

It was first raced at the French Grand Prix at Dijon.

The car's potential was evident early on with a second place in only its second grand prix scored by then rookie driver Ayrton Senna in the rain affected Monaco Grand Prix. Senna, who started 13th, sliced through the field with precision until he caught and passed race leader Alain Prost (McLaren-TAG) just before the start/finish line on lap 32 as Clerk of Course Jacky Ickx showed the red flag to stop the race due to adverse conditions. However, the rules stated that positions must be taken from the lap prior to the flag being shown. This saw Prost win and Senna finish second with only half points given due to the race not going past 50% of the scheduled distance. It was widely perceived that Ickx had denied Senna, Toleman, and engine supplier Hart their first Grand Prix win, although the team later revealed that Senna's TG184 had suffered suspension damage which they estimated would only have lasted another 3 or 4 laps in any case.[ citation needed ]

Underlying his future as a World Champion, more podiums came for Senna during the 1984 season with 3rd placings at both the British Grand Prix and the season ending Portuguese Grand Prix where Senna also placed 3rd in qualifying, the highest for the car. The podium finish at Monaco was the first for what is now the Alpine F1 Team.

Others to drive the TG184 during 1984 were former FIM 350cc and Formula 750 motorcycle World Champion Johnny Cecotto from Venezuela and up and coming F1 drivers Stefan Johansson of Sweden and Pierluigi Martini from Italy. Unfortunately for Cecotto, the TG184 was his last F1 drive after he badly broke both of his ankles in practice for the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. He recovered from his injuries but never again raced in Formula One, instead going on to a successful career as a touring car driver.

The TG184 was replaced in 1985 by the TG185.

The Toleman TG184 as raced by Stefan Johansson at the end of the 1984 season Toleman TG184 Johansson.jpg
The Toleman TG184 as raced by Stefan Johansson at the end of the 1984 season

Complete Formula One results

(key) (Results shown in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDriver12345678910111213141516Pts.WCC
1984 Toleman Group Motorsport Hart 415T
S4 tc
P
M
BRA RSA BEL SMR FRA MON CAN DET DAL GBR GER AUT NED ITA EUR POR 16*7th
Ayrton Senna Ret27RetRet3RetRetRetRet3
Johnny Cecotto RetRet9RetRetDNQ
Stefan Johansson 4Ret11
Pierluigi Martini DNQ

* 2 points scored using the Toleman TG183B

References

  1. "Toleman TG184 • STATS F1".