Like its predecessor, the TG183B, the TG184 was powered by the 4 cylinder turbocharged Hart 415T engine which produced approximately 600 bhp (447 kW; 608 PS) in 1984.
The car's potential was evident early on with a second place in only its second grand prix scored by then rookie driver Ayrton Senna in the rain affected Monaco Grand Prix. Senna, who started 13th, sliced through the field with precision until he caught and passed race leader Alain Prost (McLaren-TAG) just before the start/finish line on lap 32 as Clerk of Course Jacky Ickx showed the red flag to stop the race due to adverse conditions. However, the rules stated that positions must be taken from the lap prior to the flag being shown. This saw Prost win and Senna finish second with only half points given due to the race not going past 50% of the scheduled distance. It was widely perceived that Ickx had denied Senna, Toleman, and engine supplier Hart their first Grand Prix win, although the team later revealed that Senna's TG184 had suffered suspension damage which they estimated would only have lasted another 3 or 4 laps in any case.[citation needed]
Underlying his future as a World Champion, more podiums came for Senna during the 1984 season with 3rd placings at both the British Grand Prix and the season ending Portuguese Grand Prix where Senna also placed 3rd in qualifying, the highest for the car. The podium finish at Monaco was the first for what is now the Alpine F1 Team.
Others to drive the TG184 during 1984 were former FIM 350cc and Formula 750 motorcycle World Champion Johnny Cecotto from Venezuela and up and coming F1 drivers Stefan Johansson of Sweden and Pierluigi Martini from Italy. Unfortunately for Cecotto, the TG184 was his last F1 drive after he badly broke both of his ankles in practice for the British Grand Prix at Brands Hatch. He recovered from his injuries but never again raced in Formula One, instead going on to a successful career as a touring car driver.
Ayrton Senna
Johnny Cecotto
Stefan Johansson
Pierluigi Martini
