Ted Toleman - the 1980s F1 team boss who handed Ayrton Senna his grand prix 🔯debut - has died at the age of 86 after🔜 a long illness.

After competing in junior categories including F2, thඣe Toleman-run operation made the step up to F1 in the early 1980s, but initially struggled an🧜d did not qualify for their first nine races.

Toleman launched the careers of drivers incl♛uding Senna, Stefan Johansson and Derek Warwick, while legendary F1 designer Rory Byrne and engineer Pat Symonds also started out at the team.

It was Senna who gave Toleman their best-ever result with a brilliant second-place finish at a rain-hit Mo🐬naco Grand Prix in his rookie season in 1984.

The Brazilian would ಌgo on to claim a further two podiums for Toleman before being signed by Lotus for the following year.

Although the te♛am would not win under the T🍌oleman guise, Teo Fabi claimed the British outfit's one and only pole position at the 1985 German Grand Prix.

Benetton bought t𓂃he outfit from Toleman in 1986 and following fur😼ther rebrands currently operates as the Alpine team of today.

F1 president 🎐and CEO Stefano Domenicali led tributes to Toleman on Thursday morning following the news of his passing.

🔴“I am saddened to hear that Ted Toleman has 🍬passed away,” Domenicali said.

“He gave so much to Formula 1 and his achievements and legacy will always be part of our history. Our 🍒thoughts are with his ꦚfamily and friends at this sad time.”

✨Toleman is survived by his wife ꦯMaitie and their son Michael.