Ayrton Senna's F1 car that saw him star in Monaco (and help start Alain Prost feud) is up for auction and could be sold for as much as £1million

  • Ayrton Senna started his Formula One career with strugglers Toleman in 1984
  • Brazilian came very close to a shock first win at that year's Monaco Grand Prix
  • Senna would later set record for most wins at Monte Carlo with six 
  • The Toleman car is now due to be sold at a Bonhams auction in May
  • READ: More F1 news and features and interviews ahead of the new season 

It was the car that helped start it all for Ayrton Senna. Now it could be yours... if you have a spare £1million down the back of the sofa.

The Toleman Hart that the late three-time champion raced with in his first Formula One season back in 1984 is to go up for auction on May 11 at Bonhams.

With an auction range from as low as £750,000 to £1million it is not going to go cheap but then the Brazilian's first F1 car played a big part in the sport's folklore, even if it never won a race.

The Toleman which Ayrton Senna drove in his rookie Formula One season will be sold in May

The Toleman which Ayrton Senna drove in his rookie Formula One season will be sold in May

Senna started his career in 1984 with the lower midfield team before joining Lotus

Senna started his career in 1984 with the lower midfield team before joining Lotus

It nearly did though. Senna's talents were soon recognised on a global scale in his debut campaign after nearly snatching a shock victory at the Monaco Grand Prix.


In the terrible wet conditions, that were showing no signs of improving, the unfancied rookie started to lap race leader Alain Prost's McLaren at three seconds a lap quicker.

At the end of the 32nd lap Senna passed Prost to take the lead, with the red flag brought out around the same time to stop the race due to the rain.

Senna holds his arm aloft after thinking he has won the Monaco Grand Prix in 1984

Senna holds his arm aloft after thinking he has won the Monaco Grand Prix in 1984

It was with Toleman where Senna would quickly build a reputation as a future champion
It was with Toleman where Senna would quickly build a reputation as a future champion

It was with Toleman where Senna would quickly build a reputation as a future champion

Senna tackles the Monaco hairpin during the rain affected grand prix from his debut season

Senna tackles the Monaco hairpin during the rain affected grand prix from his debut season

Senna believed he had won the race and celebrated with his arm aloft. However, F1 rules dictated that the standings were taken from the last completed lap and this was deemed as lap 31 - when Prost was still leading. Senna took his first fastest lap award but it was scant consolation.

AYRTON SENNA'S DEBUT F1 SEASON

Brazil: Ret

South Africa: 6th

Belgium: 6th

San Marino: DNQ

France: Ret

Monaco: 2nd

Canada: 7th

Detroit: Ret 

Dallas: Ret

Britain: 3rd

Germany: Ret

Austria: Ret

Holland: Ret

Italy: DNR

Europe: Ret

Portugal: 3rd 

Points: 13th Final placing: 9th

Key: Ret - retired, DNQ - did not qualify, DNR - did not race (banned by team) 

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The Brazilian may have been denied one of F1's most famous debut victories but 1976 world champion James Hunt made sure Senna's announcement as a major player to be reckoned with was not lost.

'I think we are watching the arrival of Ayrton Senna as a truly outstanding talent in grand prix racing.' claimed the Brit in his role as a TV commentator at the race. 

Senna would later go on and win the prestigious Monte Carlo event a record six times. 

That year's Monaco GP was also the first chapter in Senna's famous rivalry with Prost which would later reach its pinnacle when the drivers fought directly for the world championship as McLaren team-mates in 1988 and 1989 and also when the Frenchman moved to Ferrari in 1990.

Senna left Toleman at the end of 1984 to join Lotus where he spent three seasons before moving to McLaren where he would land his three world titles.

After joining Williams in 1994, the Brazilian's pursuit for a fourth championship was tragically cut short after fatally crashing at the San Marino Grand Prix.  

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