1996 Brazilian Grand Prix

The 1995 Brazilian Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XXV Grande Prêmio do Brasil, was the second round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace in São Paulo, Brazil, on the 31 March 1996.'Brazilian GP, 1996', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr583.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019) The race would see Damon Hill secure a dominant victory ahead of Jean Alesi, having lapped arch-rival Michael Schumacher late on.
Hill would start the weekend as he meant to go on, sweeping to pole position in qualifying by almost a full second. Local hero Rubens Barrichello was his closest challenger for , while Jacques Villeneuve, star of the Australian Grand Prix, claimed third ahead of Schumacher.
It rained heavily on race morning, resulting in the entire field start on wet tyres, something which would play beautifully into Hill's hands. The Brit would slither away from the grid expertly to claim an early lead, while teammate Villeneuve, as well as a fast starting Alesi, got the jump on Barrichello.
Ultimately, it was Villeneuve's intervention that proved critical to Hill's bid for victory, for the Canadian simply could not match the Brit's pace. Indeed, the Canadian was driving in what was only his second ever wet race, and would lose almost three seconds a lap in the early laps to Hill before he got used to the conditions.
Behind, Barrichello threw everything he could at Alesi in a bid to regain third, and duly got ahead at the third attempt, only to slide wide and gift the position back to the Frenchman. With that, Alesi would ease clear and wind the pressure on Villeneuve for second, although the Canadian was able to resist as the track began to dry.
Indeed, come half distance there was a distinct dry line, which played a crucial role in the Villeneuve-Alesi fight for second. Indeed, Villeneuve's lack of experience in the wet was shown when he tried to lap the of Luca Badoer, going off-line and hence allowed Alesi, who had stuck to the dry-line, to sweep past through turn three.
Villenueve tried in vain to keep alongside the Frenchman, and hence spent himself spinning out of the race and into the gravel. Alesi, meanwhile, would almost throw away his hard won second place by running onto the grass, allowing Barrichello to dive past before he stopped for new wets a few laps later.
That, ultimately, proved to be the wrong call by the Jordan team, for the circuit was only getting drier and quicker as the race wore on. Out front, Hill would briefly lose the lead when he stopped for slicks, one of the first to do so, with Alesi rejoining from his stop a couple of laps later in a comfortable second.
Barrichello, meanwhile, would slump to fourth once he made his switch to slicks, harassing the back of Schumacher who had not enjoyed his 's handling in the wet. Once again, Barrichello threw everything he could at the car ahead to try and get past, only to throw it all away with a spin into the wall at the final corner.
Schumacher was hence left in a lonely third place, just in time to be lapped by rival Hill, who was setting lap record after lap record as the circuit continued to improve. The only man close to the Brit's pace proved to be Alesi, although the Frenchman would lose a couple of tenths a second a lap to the #5 .
With that the race was over, with Hill easing his pace having lapped Schumacher to cruise across the line and claim victory, with Alesi a quarter of a minute back in second. Schumacher completed the podium still a lap down, while Mika Häkkinen secured fourth after a race long defence from compatriot Mika Salo.
==Background==
An opening day victory for Damon Hill left the Brit atop the Championship, with no controversial investigations to take away his points. Jacques Villeneuve, meanwhile, would open his maiden F1 campaign in second, with Eddie Irvine in third after his debut. Gerhard Berger was next ahead of Mika Häkkinen, while Mika Salo completed the early top-six.
In the Constructors Championship it had been an ominously strong afternoon for , who left Australia with sixteen points to their name. That left them twelve ahead of Ferrari in second after the opening race, with a point further back in third. and had also got on the board at the opening round.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
2 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari 	 	F310 	 	046 3.0 V10 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
4 	Gerhard Berger 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B196 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
5 	Damon Hill 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW18 	 	RS8 3.0 V10 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
8 	David Coulthard 	Marlboro McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/11 	 	FO 110D 3.0 V10 	
9 	Olivier Panis 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
10 	Pedro Diniz 	Equipe Ligier Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS43 	 	MF301HA 3.0 V10 	
11 	Rubens Barrichello 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
12 	Martin Brundle 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	196 	 	A12 3.0 V10 	
14 	Johnny Herbert 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Red Bull Sauber Ford 	 	C15 	 	JD Zetec-R 3.0 V8 	
16 	Ricardo Rosset 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
17 	Jos Verstappen 	Footwork Hart 	 	FA17 	 	830 3.0 V8 	
18 	Ukyo Katayama 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
19 	Mika Salo 	Tyrrell Yamaha 	 	024 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
20 	Pedro Lamy 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
21 	Tarso Marques 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	Forti Corse 	 	FG01B 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
23 	Andrea Montermini 	Forti Corse 	 	FG01B 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/engages.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	1:18.111 	— 	199.332 km/h
2 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:19.092 	+0.981s 	196.859 km/h
3 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:19.254 	+1.143s 	196.457 km/h
4 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:19.474 	+1.363s 	195.913 km/h
5 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:19.484 	+1.373s 	195.888 km/h
6 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:19.519 	+1.408s 	195.802 km/h
7 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:19.607 	+1.496s 	195.586 km/h
8 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:19.762 	+1.651s 	195.206 km/h
9 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:19.799 	+1.688s 	195.115 km/h
10 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:19.951 	+1.840s 	194.744 km/h
11 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:20.000 	+1.889s 	194.625 km/h
12 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:20.144 	+2.033s 	194.275 km/h
13 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:20.157 	+2.046s 	194.244 km/h
14 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	1:20.167 	+2.056s 	194.220 km/h
15 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:20.426 	+2.315s 	193.594 km/h
16 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:20.427 	+2.316s 	193.592 km/h
17 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	1:20.440 	+2.329s 	193.560 km/h
18 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	1:21.491 	+3.380s 	191.064 km/h
19 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:23.174 	+5.063s 	187.198 km/h
20 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	1:23.454 	+5.343s 	186.570 km/h
107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579 	107% Time: 1:23.579
EXC* 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:20.873 	+2.762s 	192.524 km/h
EXC* 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:21.421 	+3.310s 	191.228 km/h
Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Grande Premio do Brasil - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/639/brazil/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 13/08/2019)'Brazil 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
** Diniz and Marques would have their times deleted for receiving outside assistance.
===Grid===
** Herbert would start the race from the pit lane after switching to his spare car.
*† Diniz and Marques were allowed to start the race from the back of the grid.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	71 	1:49:52.976 	1 	10
2 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	71 	+17.982s 	5 	6
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	70 	+1 Lap 	4 	4
4 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	70 	+1 Lap 	7 	3
5 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	70 	+1 Lap 	11 	2
6 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	70 	+1 Lap 	15 	1
7 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	70 	+1 Lap 	10 	
8 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	69 	+2 laps 	22 	
9 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	69 	+2 Laps 	16 	
10 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	68 	+3 Laps 	18 	
11 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	67 	+4 Laps 	19 	
12* 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	64 	Spin 	6 	
Ret 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	59 	Spin 	2 	
Ret 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	36 	Engine 	9 	
Ret 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	29 	Spin 	14 	
Ret 	14T 	Johnny Herbert 	 	28 	Engine 	12 	
Ret 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	26 	Spin 	3 	
Ret 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	26 	Hydraulics 	8 	
Ret 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	26 	Spin 	20 	
Ret 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	24 	Spin 	17 	
Ret 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	19 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	0 	Spin 	21 	
Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)	Source:'Brazil 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil/classement.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Brundle was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* made their 50th Grand Prix appearance as a constructor.'2. Brazil 1996', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/bresil.aspx, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
* Rubens Barrichello made his 50th Grand Prix start.
* Twentieth entry for Andrea Montermini.'1996 Brazilian GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1996&gp=Brazilian%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 13/08/2019)
* Debut race for Tarso Marques.
* Fifteenth career victory for Damon Hill.
* secured their 85th win as a constructor.
** claimed their 76th win as an engine supplier.
* Jean Alesi secured the 200th podium finish for a Renault engine.
==Standings==
Two races down and Damon Hill had continued his perfect start to the season, leaving Brazil with twenty points to his name and a handsome fourteen point lead. Jacques Villeneuve and Jean Alesi were his closest challengers, level on six points, while Mika Häkkinen was a point further back in fourth. Defending World Champion Michael Schumacher then completed the top five ahead of Eddie Irvine, with nine drivers on the board.
In the Constructors Championship already had a daunting lead, leaving Brazil with seventeen points in hand. Indeed, that meant that , the team in second, already had to claim a one-two finish without Williams scoring just to get back on terms, and hence affirmed Williams' position as favourites. , meanwhile, were sat in third ahead of , with and completing the score sheet.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Damon Hill 	20 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	6 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	6 	10
4 	Mika Häkkinen 	5 	1
5 	Michael Schumacher 	4 	8
6 	Eddie Irvine 	4 	3
7 	Gerhard Berger 	3 	3
8 	Mika Salo 	3 	2
9 	Olivier Panis 	1 	2
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	26 	
2 	 	9 	1
3 	 	8 	1
4 	 	5 	
5 	 	3 	
6 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1996 Grands Prix
Category:Brazilian Grand Prix