UNDERDOG TALES: When Senna took the F1 paddock by storm with Toleman and made Monaco’s streets his own
Ayrton Senna needed only a handful of races to show the world that he was an F1 megastar in the making, taking a famous second-place finish – and so nearly a victory – with the plucky Toleman team at the 1984 Monaco Grand Prix amid torrential rain. To kick off a new series highlighting moments in F1 history when drivers and teams punched above their weight, we spoke with his race engineer that season, Pat Symonds, for a trip down memory lane and a fresh take on the beginnings of the Senna legend...
Ayrton Senna was hot property at the end of 1983. He had just beaten Martin Brundle to the British Formula 3 title and won the prestigious Macau Grand Prix, adding to British Formula Ford 2000 and European Formula Ford 2000 titles the year before, and the Formula Ford 1600 title the year before that.
Next Up
Related Articles
What tyres will the teams have for the Bahrain Grand Prix?
Ocon confirms his intentions after announcing Haas exit
Hamilton condemns ‘negative narrative’ around Vasseur
Why there’s still hope for Russell in the 2026 title race
Norris explains apology to Colapinto over Baku comments
Facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2026 Bahrain GP