Norman Edward Toleman (14 March 1938 – 10 April 2024), nicknamed ''Ted'', was a British sports entrepreneur, founder and owner of the

Toleman 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 best known for giving Ayrton Senna his Formula One debut. The team was gener ...

Formula One Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...

team.

Biography

Toleman, originally a car transporter businessman in Essex, had a varied life that intersected with multiple industries. Adopted as a child, he later ventured into agriculture, managing a banana farm and a restaurant in South Africa. He relocated after his son Gary was fatally shot by carjackers there in 2003. Toleman's brother Bob died in a

Formula Ford Formula Ford, also known as F1600 and Formula F, is an entry-level class of single-seater, open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held across the world have historically been an important step for many prospective Formula One dri ...

accident at

Snetterton Circuit Snetterton Circuit is a motor racing course in Norfolk, England, originally opened in 1953. Owned by Jonathan Palmer's MotorSport Vision organisation since 2004, it is situated on the A11 road north-east of the town of Thetford and south-w ...

in 1976. Besides working as a racing advisor, Toleman participated in Australia's Mini Challenge Series for a period as well as the

24 Hours of Le Mans The 24 Hours of Le Mans () is an endurance-focused Sports car racing, sports car race held annually near the city of Le Mans, France. It is widely considered to be one of the world's most prestigious races, and is one of the races—along with ...

and

Dakar Rally The Dakar Rally () or simply "The Dakar" (), formerly known as the Paris–Dakar Rally (), is an annual rally raid organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation (ASO). It is an off-road endurance event traversing terrain much tougher than convent ...

. Beyond racing, he maintained interests in powerboating and yachting. Toleman also pursued business ventures in both Australia and the Philippines. Toleman died in the Philippines, on 10 April 2024, at the age of 86.

Toleman Motorsport

After notable success in junior racing categories, Toleman Racing and its operation made their debut in Formula One during the early 1980s. They played a pivotal role in launching the career of

Ayrton Senna Ayrton Senna da Silva (; 21 March 1960 – 1 May 1994) was a Brazilian racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . Senna won three Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles with McLaren, and—at the time of his death—held ...

, who later became an iconic figure in the sport. Senna's debut in Formula One came with Toleman Racing, and it was a memorable entry. In the rain-soaked

Monaco Grand Prix The Monaco Grand Prix () is a Formula One motor racing event held annually on the Circuit de Monaco, in late May or early June. Run since 1929, it is widely considered to be one of the most important and prestigious automobile races in the wo ...

of his rookie season in 1984, Senna showcased his talent by driving the Toleman car to an impressive second place, marking the team's best-ever Formula One result. Throughout the 1984 season, Senna and Toleman Racing continued to impress, securing two more podium finishes in

Great Britain Great Britain is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean off the north-west coast of continental Europe, consisting of the countries England, Scotland, and Wales. With an area of , it is the largest of the British Isles, the List of European ...

and

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic, is a country on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe. Featuring Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point in continental Europe, Portugal borders Spain to its north and east, with which it share ...

. Additionally, they clinched a remarkable pole position at the

1985 German Grand Prix The 1985 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Nürburgring on 4 August 1985. It was the ninth race of the 1985 Formula One season. This was the first German Grand Prix that was held on the new GP-Strecke section of the trac ...

, with

Teo Fabi Teodorico "Teo" Fabi (born 9 March 1955) is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to . In sportscar racing, Fabi won the World Sportscar Championship in 1991 World Sportscar Championship, 1991 with Jaguar Cars, Jagu ...

excelling in challenging weather conditions. Despite Toleman's relatively short stint in Formula One, spanning five seasons and accumulating 26 championship points, the team left a lasting impact. In 1986, Toleman Racing transitioned to Benetton after being sold, leading to the team's rebranding for the subsequent campaign. Toleman Racing also provided opportunities for several notable Formula One drivers, including

Brian Henton Brian Henton (born 19 September 1946) is a former racing driver from England. He won both 1974 British Formula Three Championships and the 1980 European Formula Two Championship. He participated in 38 Formula One Grands Prix, debuting on 19 Ju ...

Derek Warwick Derek Stanley Arthur Warwick (born 27 August 1954) is a British former racing driver, who competed in Formula One between and . In endurance racing, Warwick won the World Sportscar Championship and 24 Hours of Le Mans, both in 1992 with Peuge ...

Bruno Giacomelli Bruno Giacomelli (; born 10 September 1952) is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One between and . Giacomelli won one of the two 1976 British Formula 3 Championships and the Formula Two championship. From to , Giacome ...

Johnny Cecotto Johnny Alberto Cecotto Persello (born 25 January 1956), better known as Johnny Cecotto, is a Venezuelan people, Venezuelan former professional Grand Prix motorcycle racing, Grand Prix motorcycle racer and auto racing, auto racer. He rose to pro ...

Stefan Johansson Stefan Nils Edwin Johansson (born 8 September 1956) is a Swedish former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One between and . In endurance racing (motorsport), endurance racing, Johansson won the 24 Hours of Le Mans ...

Pierluigi Martini Pierluigi Martini (; born 23 April 1961) is an Italian former racing driver, who competed in Formula One from to and from to . In endurance racing (motorsport), endurance racing, Martini won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in with BMW in motorsport ...

, and

Piercarlo Ghinzani Piercarlo Ghinzani (born 16 January 1952) is an Italian former racing driver and motorsport executive, who competed in Formula One from to . Ghinzani participated in 111 Formula One Grands Prix for Osella, Toleman, Equipe Ligier, Ligier and Za ...

. Moreover, Toleman Racing served as a launching pad for esteemed engineers in Formula One, such as

Rory Byrne Rory Byrne (born 10 January 1944) is a South African semi-retired engineer and car designer, most famous for being the chief designer at the Benetton and Scuderia Ferrari teams of Formula One. Byrne-designed cars have won ninety-nine Grands P ...

and

Pat Symonds Patrick Bruce Reith Symonds (born 11 June 1953) is a British motor racing engineer, who is currently the executive engineering consultant for the Andretti Cadillac F1 program. He was the Chief Technical Officer at Williams Grand Prix Engineer ...

, who embarked on their illustrious careers with other teams.

References

1938 births 2024 deaths 24 Hours of Le Mans drivers British motorsport people Dakar Rally drivers Formula One team owners Formula One team principals South African motorsport people White South African people South African emigrants to the United Kingdom {{F1-bio-stub