Benetton

**Benetton Formula Ltd.**, commonly referred to simply as **Benetton**, joined the Formula One grid in 1986. The team is owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores of the same name.

## History

The Benetton Group entered Formula One as a sponsor company for constructor Tyrrell in 1983, then Alfa Romeo in 1984 and 1985 and finally Toleman in 1985. Toleman had struggled in 1985, missing the first three races of the season and being forced to only enter one car for the following six races, as a result of a dispute with tyre suppliers. Teo Fabi had taken a pole position for Toleman at the German Grand Prix, however the team would score no points during the season, with poor reliability causing a Toleman car to see the chequered flag only twice out of 20 total entries. Benetton Formula Ltd. was formed at the end of 1985 when the Toleman team was sold to the Benetton family.

#### Beginnings (1986–1987)

Toleman had already developed the TG186, their planned chassis for the 1986 season. This was renamed the Benetton B186 after the change in ownership. Benetton's first season in Formula One also came with a change in engine supply, with Toleman's Hart engines being replaced with that of a large car manufacturer, the powerful BMW *M12/13*. Fabi was retained as a driver and Piercarlo Ghinzani was replaced by Gerhard Berger, who joined from Arrows.

The B186 demonstrated its pace throughout the season, with Berger securing the team's first podium finish at Imola and a front-row start in Belgium. Fabi claimed two consecutive pole positions in Austria and Italy, before Berger achieved the Witney-based team's first victory in Mexico, almost half a minute ahead of his nearest competitor. Despite the impressive underlying pace, the B186 suffered from severe unreliability. The team recorded nineteen retirements, with eight consecutively for Fabi (including from his two pole positions). Benetton ended the season 6th in the championship with 19 points.

Berger left the team for Ferrari at the end of 1986 and was replaced at Benetton by his former Arrows teammate Thierry Boutsen. BMW, which had supplied three teams in 1986, scaled back its operation to supply only Brabham in 1987. With the Haas Lola team folding at the end of 1986, Benetton was able to take over its factory supply of turbocharged Ford engines. The B187 enjoyed far better reliability all season and secured several points finishes, including third place at the Imola. Benetton ended the season 5th in the championship with 31 points.

#### Rise (1988–1990)

Fabi was dropped for the 1988 season in favour of Minardi driver Alessandro Nannini, ending Fabi's Formula One career. The B188 became the team's first naturally-aspirated car as Ford wished to concentrate development in light of the upcoming ban on turbocharged engines. The B188 did not enjoy the same reliability as in the previous year and Nannini would not enjoy the same success as teammate Boutsen. However, Boutsen did find performance in the car and would gain three podium finishes, including a second place finish in the season opener in Brazil. The team finished the season 4th in the championship with 26 points.

For 1989, Boutsen and Nannini were retained. The new engine developed by Ford for the B189 was not ready for the start of the season, and the previous year's engine did not fit in the new car. The team therefore had no choice but to continue using the B188. Despite this setback, the B188 still proved competitive, with Boutsen finishing second at the USA Grand Prix. The B189 was finally ready to compete at the French Grand Prix, but it would prove temperamental and performance from it would take a few races to come in. Performance would eventually come and Nannini would secure points finishes in the last five races. Boutsen would do even better with seven consecutive points finishes, including third and second place finishes. Benetton would again end the season 4th in the championship, but this time with 50 points.

Prior to the 1990 season, the team management was fired and businessman Flavio Briatore was appointed team manager by the Benetton family. With the exit of Boutsen to Joest, Riccardo Patrese would take the second seat at Benetton alongside Nannini. Benetton used a modified B189 before introducing the B190 at the third race of the season. The promise of the B190 was soon shown when Patrese won the Canadian Grand Prix ahead of teammate, Nannini, and securing the teams first and so far only 1-2 finish. Despite this early result, the team did not have the reliability of the previous year and there would be no other podium finishes in 1990. Tragedy would befall the team late into the season after Nannini lost his right forearm in a helicopter crash. His arm was re-attached but the injuries ended his Formula One career. British Formula Three Champion Mika Häkkinen was announced as his replacement for the final two races of the season. Benetton ended the season 5th in the championship with 34 points.

#### Outside Contenders (1991–1993)

A new driver line up in former World Champion Nelson Piquet and former Toleman driver Derek Warwick was a clear statement of intent. With this they attracted a major new title sponsor for 1991 in the form of American cigarette brand Camel, which had previously appeared as a minor sponsor on Benetton cars. The 1991 season was less successful for Benetton. An upgraded B190 was used for the first two races of the season before the B191 made its debut at the San Marino Grand Prix. Warwick had a difficult season and came to blows on the track with his teammate on too many occasions. Piquet was having a strong race at the Canadian Grand Prix before coming together with Warwick and costing the team would have eventually become a dramatic win. After this performance, the team dismissed Warwick and brought in Roberto Moreno from the Modena team. A single 3rd place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix was the only podium place the team would achieve in 1991. Benetton sought a young driver for the team's future, and believed neither Moreno nor the ageing Piquet could fill this role. After Michael Schumacher had impressed in his debut for Jordan at the Belgian Grand Prix, Benetton worked hard to attract the young German to the team, but would lose out to a deal between Jordan, Mercedes and McLaren. Instead, Benetton would hire the driver pairing of Martin Brundle and Johnny Herbert who had been having such success with Arrows/Footwork. Benetton ended the season 5th in the championship with 28 points.

For the 1992 season, Tom Walkinshaw Racing acquired a stake in Benetton, with Tom Walkinshaw and Ross Brawn brought in to run the team's engineering operations. The team also moved its base of operations from Witney, Oxfordshire to a new factory close to the nearby village of Enstone. As had become a tradition Benetton's new car was once again delayed, with the team using an upgraded B191 for the first three races of the season in which Brundle and Herbert would each achieve a podium finish. Even so the B192 was an immediate improvement and Brundle would secure an impressive win at the next round in Spain. Herbert would add to the joy at the team with third place, making it a double podium finish. Three further podium finishes would see Benetton end the season 4th in the championship and their highest points finish on 57 points.

Herbert was unexpectedly dropped for 1993 in favour of Brawn's number one target, Schumacher, who left McLaren after they lost their Mercedes-backed Ilmor engines. For the first time since 1988, Benetton started the season with a new chassis, although they would start the year using the Ford V8 from last season.

## Formula One record

### Season-by-season record

Notes

* \* – Season still in progress.

### Benetton driver Grand Prix count

Notes

* \* – Season still in progress.