Benetton Formula

Benetton
Full name Benetton Formula Ltd.
Base Witney, United Kingdom
(1986–1991)
Enstone, United Kingdom
(1992–2001)
Noted staff Flavio Briatore
Rocco Benetton
Ross Brawn
Mike Gascoyne
Nigel Stepney
Pat Symonds
Steve Matchett
David Richards
Peter Collins
Rory Byrne
Nicholas Tombazis
Pat Fry
Nick Wirth
John Barnard
Noted drivers Italy Teo Fabi
Austria Gerhard Berger
Belgium Thierry Boutsen
Italy Alessandro Nannini
United Kingdom Johnny Herbert
Italy Emanuele Pirro
Brazil Nelson Piquet
Brazil Roberto Moreno
Germany Michael Schumacher
United Kingdom Martin Brundle
Italy Riccardo Patrese
France Jean Alesi
Austria Alexander Wurz
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella
United Kingdom Jenson Button
Previous name Toleman Motorsport
Next name Renault F1 Team
Formula One World Championship career
First entry 1986 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races entered 260
Constructors'
Championships
1 (1995)
Drivers'
Championships
2 (1994, 1995)
Race victories 27
Pole positions 15
Fastest laps 36
Final entry 2001 Japanese Grand Prix

Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001. The team was owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores of the same name. In 2000 the team was purchased by Renault, but competed as Benetton for the 2001 season. In 2002 the team became Renault F1.

History

Thierry Boutsen driving for Benetton at the 1988 Canadian Grand Prix.
Giancarlo Fisichella driving for Benetton at the 1999 Canadian Grand Prix.
Benetton's last Formula One car, the B201 driven by Jenson Button.

The Benetton Group entered Formula One as a sponsor company for Tyrrell in 1983, then Alfa Romeo in 1984 and 1985 and finally Toleman in 1985. Benetton Formula Ltd. was formed at the end of 1985 when the Toleman team was sold to the Benetton family. The team began with BMW engines and then later switched to Ford then Renault and finally Playlife.

The team was managed by Flavio Briatore from 1990 until 1997. In about 1991, TWR acquired a one-third stake in the team, bringing in Tom Walkinshaw and Ross Brawn to run the engineering operations. Rocco Benetton, the youngest son of Luciano Benetton joined the team as Chief Executive in 1998 and fired Briatore. He replaced him with Prodrive boss David Richards, who lasted only for a year when he too was fired, due to a disagreement with the Benetton family about future strategy. Following Richards' departure, Rocco Benetton managed the team for three years until its sale to Renault.

The Benetton team is best known for its success with Michael Schumacher, who accounts for 19 of the team's 27 career victories and their 2 drivers' championships. After switching to Renault engines, they also won the constructor's championship in 1995 with Schumacher and Johnny Herbert. After 1995, Schumacher moved to Ferrari along with Ross Brawn, Rory Byrne and 11 other key figures from his two championship winning seasons with Benetton.

On March 16, 2000, the team was sold to Renault for $120 million US. As part of their restructuring, Renault brought back Flavio Briatore as team manager. The team still used the Playlife engines (although descended from Renault motors) they had been using for the last two years. The drivers were Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz. The team scored 20 points, as well as 3 podium finishes in 2000 at Brazil, Monaco and Canada.

During their final season in 2001 the drivers, Jenson Button and Giancarlo Fisichella, were often on the back two rows of the grid. This was in part attributed to the new 111-degree wide angle engine. But continued development allowed Benetton to leave Formula 1 on something of a high, and the cars' performance lifted. Button and Fisichella scored 10 points for the team, including a podium finish for Fisichella in Belgium.

Controversy

During the 1994 season, some rival teams claimed Benetton had found a way to violate the FIA-imposed ban on electronic aids, including traction control and launch control. On investigation, the FIA discovered "start sequence" (launch control) software in the Benetton B194 cars, and a variety of illegal software in rival teams' cars as well. FIA had no evidence the software was ever used, so teams found with the software received little to no punishment. No traction control software was found to be in the Benetton cars, however. Flavio Briatore, Benetton's chief in 1994, said in 2001 that "Our only mistake was that at the time we were too young and people were suspicious".[1]

During the 1994 season Benetton removed a fuel filter from the refueling rig used during pit stops. This may have resulted in a fire that took place during Jos Verstappen's first pitstop at Hockenheim. This resulted in further inquiries by the FIA, during which, the refuelling rig manufacturer made clear that in their opinion the modification would have resulted in 10% higher flow rates than the rules allowed . Again the team went without substantial punishment.

Nationality

Michael Schumacher driving for Benetton in the 1995 British Grand Prix. Benetton won the 1995 World Constructors' Championship as a British team in their first season with Renault power.

Benetton Team had a British licence from 1986 to 1995 and an Italian licence from 1996 to 2001,[2] thus becoming only the second constructor (after Shadow in 1976) to officially change its nationality. The Benetton family wanted this change of nationality in order to have an F1 team of their own country.[3][4][5] Benetton remains the only constructor to have achieved victory while racing under two different nationalities. The team was based in the UK throughout. Firstly at the old Toleman factory, in Witney, Oxfordshire and then in 1992 moving to a new, modern, bigger factory at Enstone.

Drivers

Benetton drivers include:

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Chassis Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
1986 B186 BMW M12/13 L4 t P BRA ESP SMR MON BEL CAN DET FRA GBR GER HUN AUT ITA POR MEX AUS 19 6th
Italy Teo Fabi 10 5 Ret Ret 7 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 8 Ret 10
Austria Gerhard Berger 6 6 3 Ret 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret 10 Ret 7 5 Ret 1 Ret
1987 B187 Ford Cosworth GBA 1.5 V6 t G BRA SMR BEL MON DET FRA GBR GER HUN AUT ITA POR ESP MEX JPN AUS 28 5th
Italy Teo Fabi Ret Ret Ret 8 Ret 5 6 Ret Ret 3 7 4 Ret 5 Ret Ret
Belgium Thierry Boutsen 5 Ret Ret Ret Ret Ret 7 Ret 4 4 5 14 Ret Ret 5 3
1988 B188 Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5 V8 G BRA SMR MON MEX CAN DET FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 39 3rd
Italy Alessandro Nannini Ret 6 Ret 7 Ret Ret 6 3 18 Ret DSQ 9 Ret 3 5 Ret
Belgium Thierry Boutsen 7 4 8 8 3 3 Ret Ret 6 3 DSQ 6 3 9 3 5
1989 B188
B189
Ford Cosworth DFR 3.5 V8
Ford HBA4 3.5 V8
G BRA SMR MON MEX USA CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 39 4th
Italy Alessandro Nannini 6 3 8 4 Ret DSQ Ret 3 Ret Ret 5 Ret 4 Ret 1 2
United Kingdom Johnny Herbert 4 11 14 15 5 DNQ
Italy Emanuele Pirro 9 11 Ret 8 10 Ret Ret Ret Ret 5
1990 B189B
B190
Ford HBA4 3.5 V8 G USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 71 3rd
Italy Alessandro Nannini 11 10 3 Ret Ret 4 16 Ret 2 Ret 4 8 6 3
Brazil Roberto Moreno 2 7
Brazil Nelson Piquet 4 6 5 DSQ 2 6 4 5 Ret 3 5 7 5 Ret 1 1
1991 B190B
B191
Ford HB5 3.5 V8 P USA BRA SMR MON CAN MEX FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR ESP JPN AUS 38.5 4th
Brazil Roberto Moreno Ret 7 13 4 Ret 5 Ret Ret 8 8 4
Germany Michael Schumacher 5 6 6 Ret Ret
Brazil Nelson Piquet 3 5 Ret Ret 1 Ret 8 5 Ret Ret 3 6 5 11 7 4
1992 B191B
B192
Ford HB 3.5 V8 G RSA MEX BRA ESP SMR MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN AUS 91 3rd
Germany Michael Schumacher 4 3 3 2 Ret 4 2 Ret 4 3 Ret 1 3 7 Ret 2
United Kingdom Martin Brundle Ret Ret Ret Ret 4 5 Ret 3 3 4 5 4 2 4 3 3
1993 B193
B193B
Ford HBA7 3.5 V8
Ford HBA8 3.5 V8
G RSA BRA EUR SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN AUS 72 3rd
Germany Michael Schumacher Ret 3 Ret 2 3 Ret 2 3 2 2 Ret 2 Ret 1 Ret Ret
Italy Riccardo Patrese Ret Ret 5 Ret 4 Ret Ret 10 3 5 2 6 5 16 Ret 8
1994 B194 Ford ECA Zetec-R 3.5 V8 G BRA PAC SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR JPN AUS 103 2nd
Germany Michael Schumacher 1 1 1 1 2 1 1 DSQ Ret 1 DSQ EX EX 1 2 Ret
Finland JJ Lehto 9 Ret
Ret 7 Ret 6
Netherlands Jos Verstappen Ret Ret Ret 8 Ret 3 3 Ret 5 Ret
United Kingdom Johnny Herbert Ret Ret
1995 B195 Renault RS7 3.0 V10 G BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR EUR PAC JPN AUS 137 1st
Germany Michael Schumacher 1 3 Ret 1 1 5 1 Ret 1 11 1 Ret 2 1 1 1 Ret
United Kingdom Johnny Herbert Ret 4 7 2 4 Ret Ret 1 4 4 7 1 7 5 6 3 Ret
1996 B196 Renault RS8 3.0 V10 G AUS BRA ARG EUR SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN 68 3rd
France Jean Alesi Ret 2 3 Ret 6 Ret 2 3 3 Ret 2 3 4 2 4 Ret
Austria Gerhard Berger 4 Ret Ret 9 3 Ret Ret Ret 4 2 13 Ret 6 Ret 6 4
1997 B197 Renault RS9 3.0 V10 G AUS BRA ARG SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA AUT LUX JPN EUR 67 3rd
France Jean Alesi Ret 6 7 5 Ret 3 2 5 2 6 11 8 2 Ret 2 5 13
Austria Gerhard Berger 4 2 6 Ret 9 10 1 8 6 7 10 4 8 4
Austria Alexander Wurz Ret Ret 3
1998 B198 Playlife GC37-01 3.0 V10 B AUS BRA ARG SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA LUX JPN 33 5th
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella Ret 6 7 Ret Ret 2 2 9 5 Ret 7 8 Ret 8 6 8
Austria Alexander Wurz 7 4 4 Ret 4 Ret 4 5 4 9 11 16 Ret Ret 7 9
1999 B199 Playlife FB01 3.0 V10 B AUS BRA SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR AUT GER HUN BEL ITA EUR MAL JPN 16 6th
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella 4 Ret 5 5 9 2 Ret 7 12 Ret Ret 11 Ret Ret 11 14
Austria Alexander Wurz Ret 7 Ret 6 10 Ret Ret 10 5 7 7 14 Ret Ret 8 10
2000 B200 Playlife FB02 3.0 V10 B AUS BRA SMR GBR ESP EUR MON CAN FRA AUT GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN MAL 20 4th
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella 5 2 11 7 9 5 3 3 9 Ret Ret Ret Ret 11 Ret 14 9
Austria Alexander Wurz 7 Ret 9 9 10 12 Ret 9 Ret 10 Ret 11 13 5 10 Ret 7
2001 B201 Renault RS21 3.0 V10 M AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 10 7th
Italy Giancarlo Fisichella 13 Ret 6 Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret 11 11 13 4 Ret 3 10 8 17
United Kingdom Jenson Button 14 11 10 12 15 Ret 7 Ret 13 16 15 5 Ret Ret Ret 9 7

See also

Footnotes

  1. Reuters (2001-02-04). "Seven-year ban on traction control likely over". www.ESPN.com. Retrieved 2006-10-24.
  2. Hayhoe, David; Holland, David (2006). Grand Prix Data Book (4th ed.). Yeovil: Haynes Publishing. p. 592. ISBN 1-84425-223-X. The combination of Schumacher and intelligent team strategy paid off with both titles in 1995, although they seemed to miss their superstar the following season when the team officially changed their nationality to Italian
  3. "New Benetton launched today". GrandPrix.com. February 5, 1996. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  4. "Will Benetton's nationalism cause problems?". GrandPrix.com. January 1, 1996. Retrieved September 13, 2006.
  5. "Benetton to race under Italian colours". New Straits Times. 29 Nov 1995. Retrieved 2014-02-04.
  6. "JOS VERSTAPPEN-HOCKENHEIM 1994". F1 Focus. Retrieved 2014-02-04.

External links

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Sporting positions
Preceded by
Williams
Formula One Constructors' Champion
1995
Succeeded by
Williams
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