Future champion

Ayrton Senna in 1984 in front of his house in São Paulo, seems determined to make his mark in Formula 1 (photo above). The young Brazilian driver, who had dazzled in F3 with his talent, and after testing with Williams and Brabham, decided to start his F1 career with the small Toleman team.

He immediately impressed by scoring his first point in South Africa, then by showing his extraordinary car control in torrential rain in Monaco, where he could have won if the race had not been stopped, and where he achieved the first podium (2nd behind Prost) of his career.

The Toleman TG184-Hart was a good chassis designed by Rory Byrne, but the Hart engine wasn’t as powerful or reliable as its competitors. Nevertheless, Ayrton Senna still managed two more podium finishes, 3rd at Brands Hatch and 3rd in Portugal, and finished the 1984 season with 13 championship points. An excellent start, signalling the arrival of a future champion.