Toleman
 |
|
| Full name | Toleman Motorsport |
|---|---|
| Base | Witney, Oxfordshire, UK |
| Founder(s) |
Ted Toleman Alex Hawkridge |
| Noted staff |
Roger Silman George McAllister Rory Byrne Pat Symonds John Gentry Christopher Witty |
| Noted drivers |
 Derek Warwick Teo Fabi Bruno Giacomelli Ayrton Senna Johnny Cecotto Stefan Johansson Piercarlo Ghinzani
|
| Next name | Benetton Formula |
| Formula One World Championship career | |
| First entry | 1981 San Marino Grand Prix |
| Races entered | 70 (57 starts) |
| Constructors' Championships |
0 |
| Drivers' Championships |
0 |
| Race victories | 0 |
| Pole positions | 1 |
| Fastest laps | 2 |
| Final entry | 1985 Australian Grand Prix |
Toleman Motorsport was a Formula One constructor based in the UK. It was active between 1981 and 1985 and attended 70 Grands Prix.
The Toleman company was formed in 1926 by Edward Toleman for the purpose of delivering from a factory in Old Trafford, Manchester. Within two years, the company moved to Dagenham, London along with the Ford factory before settling in Brentwood. In the 1950s, Edward's son Albert took over the reign of the company. In 1966, Edward died leaving his elder son Ted as the chairman with the younger son Bob becoming joint managing director.
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. In 1977, Toleman Motorsport entered an eponymous team in British Formula Ford 2000. By 1978, they were running a March chassis for Rad Dougall in British Formula Two. During that year, Toleman MD Alex Hawkridge hired former Royale designer Rory Byrne but continued to use 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. The following year the team built their own chassis designed by Rory Byrne and John Gentry 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.
Toleman's entry to Formula One was announced in November 1980. Discussions took place with Lancia over the supply of a turbocharged engine, but the team decided to use a turbocharged version of the Hart F2 engine. By that time, Formula One was beginning to be dominated by turbo-powered cars, leaving the naturally aspirated engines lagging behind.
...
Wikipedia