Briatore had gone, replaced by British boss David Richards, and in the driving seat reliable experience gave way to the youthful exuberance of Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz. Whilst the young drivers impressed, the car did not, and despite developments under Richards, friction with the Benetton family brought his surprise resignation before the end of the season. Team founder Luciano's youngest son Rocco Benetton then took charge and presided over his family's F1 outfit for the next season. For 2000 the driver line-up stayed unchanged and the car was 'simplified' in the design office by Wirth's successor Tim Densham. He instantly shook things up and the team began to climb slowly back to the top of the grid, thanks to three podiums from Fisichella, which took the team to an overall fourth in the championship by the end of the year.
Carbon fibre wishbones top, steel lower.
M Schumacher 107 2. D Coulthard 57 3. R Barrichello 54 4. R Schumacher 48 5. J Montoya 25 7.