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

After competing in junior categories including F2, the Toleman-run operation made the step up to F1 in the early 1980s, but initially struggled and did not q💧ualify f𒅌or their first nine races.

Toleman🌼 la♎unched the careers of drivers including 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 finish൲ at a rain-hit Monaco Grand Prix in his rookie season in 1984.

The Brazilian would go on to claim a furth🐼er two podiums for To꧑leman before being signed by Lotus for the following year.

Although the team would not win under the Toleman gui🎉se, Teo Fabi claimed the British outfit's one and onl🔯y pole position at the 1985 German Grand Prix.

Benetton bought theღ outfit from Toleman in♕ 1986 and following further rebrands currently operates as the Alpine team of today.

F1 presid🌠ent and CEO Stefano Domenicali led tributes to Toleman on Thursday morning following the news of his passing.

“I am sa🃏ddened 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 family and friends at this🌠 sad time.”

Toleman is survived by his wife Maitie andꦇ their son 🍌Michael.