The Toleman TG181 is a Formula One car that was first used in the 1981 Formula One season. It was also the first car used by Toleman in F1.[1]

Toleman TG181
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorToleman
Designer(s)Rory Byrne
SuccessorToleman TG183
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pull-rod actuated coil springs over dampers
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, push-rod actuated coil springs over dampers
Axle trackFront: 1,816 mm (71 in)
Rear: 1,683 mm (66 in)
Wheelbase2,692 mm (106 in)
EngineHart 415T, 1,459 cc (89.0 cu in), Straight 4, turbo, mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
TransmissionHewland / Toleman 5-speed manual
Weight545 kg (1,202 lb)
FuelAgip
TyresPirelli
Competition history
Notable entrantsToleman Group Motorsport
Notable driversUnited Kingdom Derek Warwick
United Kingdom Brian Henton
Italy Teo Fabi
Debut1981 San Marino Grand Prix
Last event1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
26001
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Being heavy and with a relatively underpowered and unreliable engine, a 4-cylinder 1.5 litre turbo by Brian Hart, it was a generally poor performing car, with its drivers, Derek Warwick and Brian Henton, only getting through qualifying once each, with Henton's tenth place at Monza the only finish for the car. Due to its bulk, the team ended up nicknaming it the "General Belgrano"[2] after the Argentine battleship sunk during the 1982 Falklands War, and the "Flying Pig".

Evolutions of the car, the Toleman TG181B and Toleman TG181C, were used the following year, to slightly better effect.

Complete Formula One results

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(key) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

All chassis powered by versions of the Hart '415T' 1.5-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Year Chassis Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1981 TG181 P USW BRA ARG SMR BEL MON ESP FRA GBR GER AUT NED ITA CAN CPL 0 NC
  Brian Henton DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ 10 DNQ DNQ
  Derek Warwick DNQ DNQ DNPQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ DNQ Ret
1982 TG181B
TG181C
P RSA BRA USW SMR BEL MON DET CAN NED GBR FRA GER AUT SUI ITA CPL 0 NC
  Derek Warwick Ret DNQ DNPQ Ret Ret DNQ Ret Ret 15 10 Ret Ret
  Teo Fabi DNQ DNQ DNQ NC Ret DNPQ DNQ Ret Ret DNQ Ret Ret Ret DNQ
Source:[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Enstone Eras: Part One". Flag World. Flagworld Communications.
  2. ^ Fearnley, Paul (9 February 2012). "When Formula 1 Turned Ugly". Motor Sport.
  3. ^ Small, Steve (1994). The Guinness Complete Grand Prix Who's Who. Guinness. pp. 130, 181 and 393. ISBN 0851127029.