THE TOLEMAN STORY – DELIVERED TO BRUNO SENNA

We're very excited to learn that Ted Toleman has personally delivered a copy of The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 to Ayrton Senna's nephew, Hispania F1 Racing driver Bruno Senna, at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.

With Toleman offering the great Ayrton Senna his Formula 1 debut drive in the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix – where he finished an amazing 2nd - it was fitting that his nephew Bruno be presented a copy of this fantastic read by Toleman himself – who is present this week to run his single-make MINI Challenge series.

Bruno Senna showed much gratitude that Toleman took the time to personally deliver this piece of history to him and was delighted by the prospect of the read and perhaps discovering some new tales of his uncle in Formula 1.

The HRT F1 driver is currently at point in his career where is late Uncle was when Toleman brought him into the sport. It was clear today the presentation of the book was an emotional moment and one he will take with him through his racing career.

Source and photograph: MINI Challenge

TOLEMAN STORY GETS TOP MARKS

Fantastic 5-star review of The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 by Christopher Hilton. Thanks to Auto Express for the review.


Click here for more info about the book.

PART OF THE TOLEMAN STORY COMES TO LIFE! SENNA'S MOVING MASTERPIECE AT MONACO

The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1
By Christopher Hilton.
• The story of Toleman told for the first time
• The last little team to be big in Formula 1
• New insights to Ayrton Senna’s Grand Prix debut
• Exclusive interviews with leading team personnel
• Derek Warwick’s memories
• Secrets of engine-maker Brian Hart
• Fascinating, previously untold stories about the team’s rise
• Never published before pictures reveal what life with the team was really like
• Full team statistics

This was the team that took Ayrton Senna into Formula 1, to which he responded by creating a masterpiece of movement at Monaco. It is still talked about. (see themagicayrtonsenna's tribute video below).




Click here for more info about the book.

THE TOLEMAN STORY - BOOK OF THE MONTH IN OCTANE

Click image to view full size

The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1
By Christopher Hilton.
Small, unfashionable, short of money – and the last of its kind to become a force in Grand Prix racing. The story of Toleman is not only fascinating and improbable, it has never been told before.

This was the team that took Ayrton Senna into Formula 1, to which he responded by creating a masterpiece of movement at Monaco. It is still talked about. This was the team that launched Derek Warwick, one of the most popular and accomplished men in British motor sport. This was the team that brought Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s design genius, to sudden prominence. This was the team that enabled Pat Symonds, Renault’s race tactician, to construct his career.

And this is the whole story. Lavishly illustrated, the book retraces the narrative from the very beginning and covers the dramas, heartbreaks and triumphs of each racing season in detail. It is full of poignant memories never published before, as well as hilarious anecdotes and penetrating insights. More info.

F1 TO BECOME MORE ACCESSIBLE TO NEW TEAMS

From 2010, Formula 1 will adopt a new scoring system that awards the championship to the driver with the most wins, rather than the most points. The current points system will still operate to decide a tie if two drivers finish a season with the same amount of wins.
A further change will see the introduction of an optional budget cap of £30m, which will reduce some teams' spending by 90% – an attempt to make F1 more accessible to newcomers. Teams can choose to spend more than the prescribed £30m, but must then operate under more restrictive technical rules – and theoretically risk having a slower car.
Smaller teams like Minardi, which bravely tried to take on the giants in the past, may at last be able to compete more evenly.

Available Now! Forza Minardi! by Simon Vigar.
After 20 years of glorious 'failure', the best-loved team in Formula One is consigned to the history books, and it deserves one of its own. Minardi had a successful time in Formula Two until the tiny Italian outfit was ready to hit the big time in 1985. It somehow survived in F1's shark-infested waters as bigger teams (Lotus, Arrows, Tyrrell) were dragged under. They have a truly international fan-base and are the 'second team' of most F1 devotees. Minardi is held in such affection as everyone loves the plucky underdog – Minardi's annual budget would have lasted one month at the other Italian team up the road. Yet, from its plant in Faenza near Bologna, Minardi has produced cars that qualify, sometimes score points and often lead the way in their technology. Gian Carlo Minardi also developed a reputation as a fabulous talent-spotter – Fisichella, Trulli, Webber and the youngest ever World Champion Alonso all started their F1 careers with Minardi. For the last five years, Minardi was owned by controversial Australian tycoon Paul Stoddart. Cast as David against the Goliath of F1's governing body, Stoddart constantly hit the headlines as he tried to get a more equal share of the sport's billions. Ultimately, he failed and Red Bull has now bought the team. Despite a petition of 15,000 names the Minardi name has vanished from the F1 grid and true motorheads miss it. This is the one and only inside account, with exclusive, comprehensive interviews with bosses, drivers and engineers. 140 unique photos complete this revolutionary tale.

Another little team that made it big in Formula 1 is coming soon from Veloce.

Forthcoming The Toleman Story – Last Romantics in Formula 1 by Christopher Hilton.
Small, unfashionable, short of money – and the last of its kind to become a force in Grand Prix racing. The story of Toleman is not only fascinating and improbable, it has never been told before. Now it is, and through the eyes of the people who lived it. This was the team that took Ayrton Senna into Formula 1, to which he responded by creating a masterpiece of movement at Monaco. It is still talked about. This was the team that launched Derek Warwick, one of the most popular and accomplished men in British motor sport. This was the team that brought Rory Byrne, Ferrari’s design genius, to sudden prominence. This was the team that enabled Pat Symonds, Renault’s race tactician, to construct his career. Click here for more info.