1996 Spanish Grand Prix

The 1996 Spanish Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XXXVIII Gran Premio Marlboro de España, was the seventh round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Catalunya near Barcelona, Spain, on the 2 June 1996.'Spanish GP, 1996', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr588.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher put together a performance that would go down in F1 folklore, securing the first of 72 victories for in heavy rain.
The German ace's chances of victory had looked very slim after qualifying, for Damon Hill had swept to pole position by almost half a second over his teammate Jacques Villeneuve. Schumacher, meanwhile, was almost a second off the pace in third, ahead of the two s of Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger.
Rain on Sunday morning confused things, with the order with full wet setups remaining unclear as a huge accident for Heinz-Harald Frentzen resulted in the warm-up being ended prematurely. The conditions also brought talk of a Safety Car start, which the drivers were informed of during the pre-race drivers' briefing, although when it came to start the race the safety car was sent to the back of the grid as usual.
Hill and Schumacher duly made poor starts, allowing Villeneuve to slither into the lead ahead of Alesi. Hill eventually secured third ahead of Berger, while Schumacher tumbled to seventh behind Rubens Barrichello and his teammate Eddie Irvine.
Behind a multi-car accident thinned the field, with David Coulthard smacking into Irvine, before spinning across the circuit. The sliding then caused further clashes between the two , Ricardo Rosset in his , Ukyo Katayama's , and the of Olivier Panis.
Irvine dropped out on the second lap, beaching himself on a grass verge, leaving Schumacher clear to attack and pass Barrichello. The #1 Ferrari duly swept onto the back of Berger a few moments later to begin an attack for fourth, which soon became a battle for third as Hill spun down the order.
Indeed, it was the beginning of a miserable afternoon for the Championship leader, with a second spin a few laps later dropping him down behind Jos Verstappen. A third and final spin resulted in the Williams-Renault smashing into the pitwall, with Hill climbing out and hopping over the barrier to make a very short walk back to the Williams pitbox.
Hill's misfortunes would fuel the Schumacher fans, who cheered loudly every time they saw the #5 Williams in strife. Schumacher himself would also get them on their feet, with a seven lap burst seeing the German pass Berger, Alesi and Villeneuve in short order.
Once Schumacher was clear of Villeneuve the race was over, with a series of fastest laps seeing the German ace establish a huge lead. He duly pitted without losing the lead mid-race, with Alesi getting the jump on Villeneuve during the same wet tyre swap.
That, ultimately, was how it stayed for the rest of the race, with Schumacher cruising across the line three quarters of a minute clear of Alesi to secure victory. Villeneuve completed the podium ahead of Frentzen in the spare , with Mika Häkkinen and Pedro Diniz completing the top six as the only other finishers.
==Background==
There were no changes atop the Championship as a result of the Monaco Grand Prix, with none of the title protagonists managing to score. Damon Hill hence retained his 21 point lead over Jacques Villeneuve, while Michael Schumacher remained six behind the Canadian in third. Instead, the big winner, literally, was Olivier Panis, who shot into fourth after his maiden victory.
It was a similar story in the Constructors Championship, with none of the lead trio managing to get a car to the finish. As a result, held their 40 point lead over , with seven off the Scuderia in third. had, however, inched closer to Benetton in fourth, while were up to fifth after their shock win.
===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 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	Minardi F1 Team 	 	M195B 	 	EDM 3.0 V8 	
22 	Luca Badoer 	Forti Corse 	 	FG03 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
23 	Andrea Montermini 	Forti Corse 	 	FG03 	 	EDD 3.0 V8 	
Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
==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 	 	1:20.650 	— 	211.001 km/h
2 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:21.084 	+0.434s 	209.871 km/h
3 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:21.587 	+0.937s 	208.577 km/h
4 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:22.061 	+1.411s 	207.373 km/h
5 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:22.125 	+1.475s 	207.211 km/h
6 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:22.333 	+1.683s 	206.687 km/h
7 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:22.379 	+1.729s 	206.572 km/h
8 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:22.685 	+2.035s 	205.808 km/h
9 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:23.027 	+2.377s 	204.960 km/h
10 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:23.070 	+2.420s 	204.854 km/h
11 	15 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:23.195 	+2.545s 	204.546 km/h
12 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:23.224 	+2.574s 	204.475 km/h
13 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:23.371 	+2.721s 	204.114 km/h
14 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	1:23.416 	+2.766s 	204.004 km/h
15 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	1:23.438 	+2.788s 	203.950 km/h
16 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:24.401 	+3.751s 	201.623 km/h
17 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:24.468 	+3.818s 	201.463 km/h
18 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	1:25.274 	+4.624s 	199.559 km/h
19 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:25.531 	+4.881s 	198.959 km/h
20 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	1:25.621 	+4.971s 	198.750 km/h
107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296 	107% Time: 1:26.296
NC 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	1:26.615 	+5.965s 	196.469 km/h
NC 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	1:27.358 	+6.708s 	194.798 km/h
Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Gran Premio Marlboro de España - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1996/races/644/spain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 14/08/2019)'Spain 1996: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
*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.
===Grid===
** Salo would start the race from the pitlane.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	1 	Michael Schumacher 	 	65 	1:59:49.307 	3 	10
2 	3 	Jean Alesi 	 	65 	+45.302s 	4 	6
3 	6 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	65 	+48.388s 	2 	4
4 	15T 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	64 	+1 Lap 	11 	3
5 	7 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	64 	+1 Lap 	10 	2
6 	10 	Pedro Diniz 	 	63 	+2 Laps 	17 	1
Ret 	17 	Jos Verstappen 	 	47 	Spin 	13 	
Ret 	11 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	45 	Differential 	7 	
Ret 	4 	Gerhard Berger 	 	44 	Spin 	5 	
Ret 	14 	Johnny Herbert 	 	20 	Spin 	9 	
Ret 	12 	Martin Brundle 	 	17 	Differential 	15 	
DSQ 	19T 	Mika Salo 	 	16 	Disqualified 	12 	
Ret 	5 	Damon Hill 	 	10 	Accident 	1 	
Ret 	18 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	8 	Electrical 	16 	
Ret 	2 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1 	Spin 	6 	
Ret 	9 	Olivier Panis 	 	1 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	21 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1 	Collision 	19 	
Ret 	8 	David Coulthard 	 	0 	Collision 	14 	
Ret 	20 	Pedro Lamy 	 	0 	Collision 	18 	
Ret 	16 	Ricardo Rosset 	 	0 	Collision 	20 	
DNQ 	22 	Luca Badoer 	 	 	 	 	
DNQ 	23 	Andrea Montermini 	 	 	 	 	
Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)	Source:'Spain 1996: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Salo was disqualified from the race after making an illegal car change.
==Milestones==
* Andrea Montermini made his 25th Grand Prix entry.'1996 Spanish GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1996&gp=Spanish%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
* Damon Hill scored the 90th pole position for a chassis.'7 Spain 1996', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1996/espagne.aspx, (Accessed 14/08/2019)
* Twentieth career victory for Michael Schumacher.
** This was the first of 72 wins for Schumacher with .
* Ferrari secured their 106th win as both an engine and chassis supplier.
* Maiden points finish for Pedro Diniz.
==Standings==
Damon Hill had seen his Championship lead marginally eroded as a result of the rain in Spain, although he still held a daunting seventeen point advantage. Two drivers were now within that margin, with Michael Schumacher having moved level with Jacques Villeneuve in second, although was counted behind by virtue of the Canadian ace having one eleventh place finish. Behind, Jean Alesi was back up to fourth ahead of Olivier Panis, with sixteen drivers on the score sheet.
In the Constructors Championship it had been another neutral day for , who ended the weekend on 69 points at the head of the field. were still their closest challengers, and had reduced the gap to 34 points, still more that two entire weekend's worth of points. , meanwhile, had made a little ground in third ahead of , while completed the top five.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Damon Hill 	43 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	26 	
3 	Michael Schumacher 	26 	
4 	Jean Alesi 	17 	1
5 	Olivier Panis 	11 	1
6 	David Coulthard 	10 	
7 	Eddie Irvine 	9 	
8 	Mika Häkkinen 	8 	2
9 	Gerhard Berger 	7 	1
10 	Rubens Barrichello 	7 	1
11 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	6 	2
12 	Mika Salo 	5 	1
13 	Johnny Herbert 	4 	1
14 	Pedro Diniz 	1 	2
15 	Martin Brundle 	1 	1
16 	Jos Verstappen 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	69 	
2 	 	35 	
3 	 	24 	
4 	 	18 	
5 	 	12 	
6 	 	10 	1
7 	 	8 	1
8 	 	5 	
9 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1996 Grands Prix
Category:Spanish Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in Spain