1:18 Minichamps Toleman Hart TG184 Ayrton Senna #19 1984 Portugal GP 540841899

The 1:18 MINICHAMPS Toleman Hart TG184 Ayrton Senna #19 1984 Portugal GP 540841899 is a diecast model car of the Toleman Formula 1 racing team driven by Ayrton Senna in the 1984 Portugal Grand Prix. It features a white color scheme and is part of a limited edition series. The scale of the model is 1:18, and it is ideal for collectors of Formula 1 cars and Ayrton Senna memorabilia.

The Toleman Hart TG184 was the car that Ayrton Senna drove during the 1984 Formula 1 season, and it gained significant fame during the Portuguese Grand Prix that year, held at the Estoril Circuit. Here’s a detailed look at its history and Senna's performance during that race:

Background: Toleman TG184 & Ayrton Senna (1984 Season)

• Toleman TG184: The car was designed by the Toleman team for the 1984 Formula 1 season. It was powered by a Hart turbocharged engine and was developed as a fairly modest machine compared to the established top teams like McLaren, Ferrari, or Renault. However, the car had some notable features, including a good chassis and solid aerodynamic package.

• Ayrton Senna: 1984 marked Senna’s debut season in Formula 1, driving for Toleman. At the time, he was an unknown talent, but he quickly showed that he had exceptional driving skills, particularly in wet conditions.

The 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix (Estoril)

• Date: September 23, 1984
• Track: The Estoril Circuit, a technical and undulating track in Portugal, was known for its mix of high-speed straights and challenging corners.
• Weather: The race was impacted by heavy rain, which would play a key role in the results.

Race Performance

• Qualifying: Senna qualified in 13th position, which was considered a decent result for a team like Toleman, given the car’s limitations compared to the front-runners. The wet weather conditions for qualifying were also beneficial to Senna, who was known for his exceptional ability in wet conditions.

• The Race:

  • The race started in heavy rain, and the conditions were treacherous. Senna quickly showed his remarkable skill in the wet, making rapid progress through the field.
  • By the halfway point, he had moved up significantly, gaining places as others struggled with the conditions. Senna's speed was exceptional, and he was catching up with the leaders.
  • However, the race was controversially stopped because the conditions were considered too dangerous. The race was halted due to worsening weather, but Senna’s performance until the red flag was a major talking point. He had climbed to second place, closing in on race leader Alain Prost in a McLaren.

• Outcome: The race was stopped before it could resume, and Alain Prost was declared the winner. Despite not finishing, Senna’s performance in the Toleman TG184 was widely praised. It was seen as a demonstration of his wet-weather mastery and raw talent, particularly since he was able to keep up with and challenge established drivers in superior machinery.

Legacy of the Portuguese GP 1984

• The Portuguese Grand Prix in 1984 marked a turning point in Ayrton Senna’s career. His display in the wet conditions was a major factor in him gaining attention from the bigger teams in Formula 1, most notably McLaren.
• Many consider this race to be one of the early moments when Senna truly announced himself as a future star of the sport.
• The performance is remembered as one of the greatest demonstrations of a driver’s wet-weather skills, a skill that would become a hallmark of Senna’s career throughout his time in Formula 1.

Post-1984 and the Impact on Senna’s Career

• After the 1984 season, Senna moved to Lotus for the 1985 season, before eventually joining McLaren in 1988, where he would win multiple World Championships and solidify his place as one of the greatest drivers in the history of Formula 1.
• The Toleman Hart TG184 race in Portugal, although not a win, was a milestone that helped launch Senna’s legendary career in motorsport.

In summary, the 1984 Portuguese Grand Prix was a historic race for Ayrton Senna and the Toleman team. It showcased Senna’s immense talent, especially in wet conditions, and remains one of the defining moments of his early career.