The Renault R23 was the car with which the Renault team competed in the 2003 Formula One World Championship . It was driven by Italian Jarno Trulli , who was in his second season with the team, and Spaniard Fernando Alonso , who replaced Jenson Button after the Briton left for British American Racing .
88-503: The car was simply named "R23" since the team no longer had a connection with Benetton . The chassis was designed by Mike Gascoyne , Bob Bell , Tim Densham and John Iley with Pat Symonds overseeing the design and production of the car as executive director of Engineering and Jean-Jacques His leading the engine design. A "B specification" car, the R23B made its debut in Britain and used for
176-420: A collision on the first lap brought out the safety car . When the race restarted, Williams rookie Juan Pablo Montoya shocked Schumacher by coming up the inside of him and taking the lead. Montoya was well set for a stunning maiden win until he got hit from behind by Jos Verstappen while lapping him. It began to rain and after everyone changed the tyres, Schumacher was leading, but then Coulthard passed him on
264-604: 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
352-574: A new safety car : the SL55 AMG , which also performed its duty during 2002 and replaced the previous CL55 AMG . It was first deployed during the German Grand Prix. Three high-profile drivers made their debuts in 2001: future world champions Fernando Alonso (with Minardi ) and Kimi Räikkönen (with Sauber ), and former CART champion Juan Pablo Montoya (with Williams ). Renault returned to Formula One after three years to supply engines to
440-442: A new, modern, bigger factory at Enstone in 1992 . ( Bold indicates championships won.) Citations Bibliography 2001 Formula One World Championship The 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 55th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 2001 Formula One World Championship for Drivers and the 2001 Formula One World Championship for Constructors, which were contested concurrently over
528-411: A race. Häkkinen finished third, scoring his first podium of the season. Coulthard was set for third but retired when his engine failed 15 laps from the finish. With nearly half the season complete, Schumacher had 58 points and led Coulthard by 18 points. Coulthard had a further 16 points over Barrichello who had 24 points, and 18 over Ralf, who had 22. Häkkinen was fifth in the standings with 8 points. In
616-469: A seventeen-race series that commenced on 4 March and ended on 14 October. Defending champions Michael Schumacher and Scuderia Ferrari were again awarded the World Drivers' Championship and World Constructors' Championship , respectively. Schumacher won the title with a record margin of 58 points over David Coulthard ( McLaren ), after achieving nine victories and five-second places. He also became
704-455: A single points finish for Benetton; Wurz's 5th place in Austria . Benetton ended the season 6th in the championship with 16 points, their worst ever finish. After Williams switched to works BMW engines, Benetton officially strengthened its partnership with Supertec . Prior to the start of the 2000 season, the team was sold to Renault as the manufacturer sought a return to Formula One, however
792-628: A supply of Renault's 1997 engines developed by Mecachrome . Benetton re-branded these engines as Playlife , a sportswear brand owned by the Benetton family. Chief executive Flavio Briatore was removed and replaced by former World Rally Champion and Prodrive boss David Richards . Fisichella achieved some success with the B198 , achieving two consecutive 2nd places in Monaco and Canada as well as pole position in Austria . However, Benetton became uncompetitive towards
880-565: A two-race ban. At the German Grand Prix , Verstappen's B194 burst into flames after being showered with fuel during his pit stop. He escaped with minor burns and returned to score two consecutive podiums at the following races, the first of his career. Another disqualification came for Schumacher after he finished 1st at the Belgian Grand Prix ; his car was measured as having an illegal amount of wear on its skid block . His two-race ban
968-635: 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 Nannini claiming a podium finish at Imola . Prior to making his Formula One debut, Herbert was involved in a serious crash in Formula 3000 that broke both his legs. Despite achieving some impressive results, including 4th place in his first race, he
SECTION 10
#17328798681421056-517: The Benetton team. Meanwhile, fellow French car manufacturer Peugeot withdrew from the sport after seven years, following a disastrous 2000 season as engine supplier to Prost . The assets of Peugeot's Formula One programme were purchased by Asia Motor Technologies France . The 2000-spec powerplants were rebadged as Asiatechs and supplied to Arrows free of charge. Michelin made a comeback as tyre supplier, providing competition to Bridgestone for
1144-566: The British GP and maintained his position at the first corner. But on the fifth lap, Häkkinen, who was on a two-stopper, passed him and never looked back to take a dominant first win of the year. Schumacher was over half a minute back in second and Barrichello completed the podium. The weekend of the German GP was dominated by the Williams team and their drivers locked out the front row. This time, it
1232-467: 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 suffered with engine trouble at the start of the season, but became more consistent mid-season after reducing the effect of the turbocharger, taking numerous 4th and 5th place finishes as well as two 3rd places in Austria and Australia . Benetton ended the season 5th in
1320-594: The 10th and final career win for Gerhard Berger . Alesi took pole position in Italy but lost out due to a slow pit stop, finishing 2nd. Benetton ended the season 3rd in the championship with 67 points. 1998 saw numerous changes within the Benetton team. Berger retired from Formula One, and Alesi left to join Sauber. Test driver Wurz was promoted to a full-time seat, partnering Giancarlo Fisichella who left Jordan. Renault pulled out of Formula One, leaving Benetton and Williams with
1408-439: The 9/11 victims. Montoya took pole, ahead of the two Ferraris of Barrichello and Schumacher. The top 3 maintained their positions at the start, but Montoya was soon passed by a two-stopping Barrichello. After utilising different strategies and Barrichello suffering a 7 second delay in his first stop, a jubilant Montoya came out on top to take his first career win. Barrichello and Ralf Schumacher finished second and third. The US GP
1496-460: The Benetton family about future strategy. The Renault engines were now developed by Flavio Briatore's Supertec company, but continued to be labelled Playlife. The B199 was a disappointment and demonstrated the further decline of the team. The highlight of the season was Fisichella's 2nd place in Canada , however this only came after numerous retirements from other cars. The following ten races only saw
1584-627: The Brazilian to return the favour at the second round. Schumacher won the race and clinched the Drivers' Championship. Barrichello came home in second, to make it a Ferrari 1–2 and secure the Constructors' Championship. A disappointed Coulthard finished third. The two Williams cars of Juan Pablo Montoya and Ralf Schumacher qualified 1–2 for the Belgian GP , but Montoya stalled on the grid and started at
1672-423: The Constructors' Championship, Ferrari was the winner with 179 points, 77 ahead of second-placed McLaren with 102, and Williams was third with 80 points. During the season, double world champion Mika Häkkinen had announced his intention to take a one-year sabbatical in 2002. Eventually, it became clear that it would be his full-time retirement. Also racing for the last time in 2001 was Jean Alesi , who passed
1760-481: The Constructors' Championship, Ferrari with 82 points had a huge lead over McLaren, who had 48. Williams was third with 28. The European Grand Prix was next and the Schumacher brothers were in the spotlights again. Michael took his seventh pole position of the season, ahead of his brother. They maintained their positions at the start and Ralf was able to keep up in second during the first stint. However, he passed
1848-501: The Mild Seven logos, except at the French, British and United States Grands Prix. ( key ) (results in bold indicate pole position, results in italics indicate fastest lap) Italics indicate factory team. Benetton Formula Benetton Formula Limited. , commonly referred to simply as Benetton , was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001 . The team
SECTION 20
#17328798681421936-595: The R23B spec car for the British Grand Prix, an aerodynamic upgrade from the original R23. It took Jarno Trulli to a third place podium just weeks later in Germany. The 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix would be a momentous one for the team. Fernando Alonso won the race, becoming the youngest driver since Bruce McLaren to do 44 years prior. In addition to being the first Spanish driver to win a race in history, Alonso also delivered
2024-446: The back and Ralf was passed by his brother and world champion Michael into the first corner. After a few laps, there was a collision between Eddie Irvine and Luciano Burti . Burti careered head-on into the tyre barrier and had to be treated for his injuries. While the injuries were not serious, Burti was never to race in F1 again. The race was suspended and shortened to 36 laps. At the restart,
2112-399: The championship with 28 points. 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 was once again an improvement on its predecessor, suffering almost half
2200-482: The championship with 91 points. Brundle was unexpectedly dropped for 1993 in favour of veteran Riccardo Patrese , who had left Williams. The B193 was similar in competitiveness to its predecessor, taking a single victory in the hands of Schumacher at the Portuguese Grand Prix and finishing 3rd in the championship for the fourth time in the team's history. Benetton achieved ten other podium finishes during
2288-462: The championship. A win in the next round in Hungary would be enough. Coulthard was a distant second with 47 and was looking anxiously over his shoulders, as Ralf with 41 and Barrichello with 37 were hot on his heels. Häkkinen and Montoya were fifth and sixth with 19 and 15 points respectively. In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari led with 121 compared to McLaren's 66, and a 1–2 in Hungary would wrap up
2376-506: The chaotic Grand Prix saw him secure this following a major accident with debris from an earlier crash caused by Mark Webber in the Jaguar. Whilst Trulli's form in the R23 began to falter, Alonso continued to impress scoring points on a regular basis and a career best second place at his home race, the 2003 Spanish Grand Prix. Following a double retirement at the 2003 French Grand Prix, Renault introduced
2464-439: The circuit in the car at Paul Ricard to begin the new season for the team. The team had an extensive pre season test program, including former Toyota driver turned Renault reserve driver Allan McNish . Following the pre-season, the technical team including Pat Symonds were satisfied with the progress from 2002. The season started well, with both drivers scoring points at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix . Alonso taking advantage of
2552-571: The closing laps. Benetton finished the season 3rd in the championship with 68 points, less than half as many as in 1995. By 1997 , technical director Ross Brawn and chief designer Rory Byrne , as well as numerous other staff, had left Benetton to join Schumacher at Ferrari. Composites manager, Philip Henderson, who had been with the team since the start also left to help Dan Gurney with his Indy Car team in California. The B197 , like its predecessor, struggled to compete with Williams and Ferrari. However,
2640-461: The driver the most wins thus far, his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix marking his 52nd career win. The season saw the debut of two future world champions: Fernando Alonso and Kimi Räikkönen as well as it being the last season for double world champion Mika Häkkinen . The following teams and drivers competed in the 2001 FIA Formula One World Championship . All engines were 3.0 litre, V10 configuration. Mercedes-Benz provided
2728-411: The end of the season, scoring just a single point in the final seven races. The team partly blamed tyre supplier Bridgestone , claiming that they had favoured the more successful McLaren team. Benetton finished the season 5th in the championship with 33 points. Chief executive Richards left Benetton after just a year in his post and was replaced by Rocco Benetton for 1999 , due to a disagreement with
Renault R23 - Misplaced Pages Continue
2816-415: The final lap, but two other 3rd place finishes were the only podium places 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 , he was hired by Benetton for the following race in place of Moreno. Jordan protested
2904-608: The final lap. Coulthard took pole at the Monaco GP but stalled on the grid after, again, suffering problems with the launch control system. This released the two Ferraris and Häkkinen to battle for the win. When Häkkinen's engine failed early on, the Ferraris cruised to a 1–2 finish, with Schumacher winning ahead of Barrichello. The demise of the McLarens allowed Eddie Irvine to get a podium, while Coulthard recovered to fifth, despite spending
2992-627: The final race in Australia , taking out both drivers. 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
3080-404: The first corner, but Ralf was soon passed by a three-stopping Barrichello. The Brazilian was unable to pass Montoya, however, and this ruined his strategy. Ralf was given a stop-go penalty for cutting the chicane at the last corner too frequently. This left Häkkinen running third in his last race in F1, but he handed the position to teammate Coulthard, as a token of gratitude. Schumacher capped off
3168-460: The first corner. His brother Ralf soon retired with a brake problem, leaving his teammate vulnerable to the Ferrari's attack. Schumacher tried to pass Montoya, but instead, both went into the gravel and rejoined sixth and seventh. Coulthard took the lead by jumping Rubens Barrichello in the second round of stops, and held on to take the win. Barrichello had to yield second to a recovering Schumacher on
3256-417: 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 Limited
3344-412: The first time since Goodyear left the sport at the end of the 1998 season . Michael Schumacher started the new season where he had left off the year before, with a dominant win from pole position in the first race in Australia . Arch-rival Mika Häkkinen lost second after a suspension failure, giving second to his teammate David Coulthard , with Schumacher's teammate Rubens Barrichello completing
3432-525: The first turn when they were lapping Tarso Marques in a move reminiscent of the one made by Mika Häkkinen on Schumacher in Belgium last year. Coulthard went on to win, with Schumacher and Nick Heidfeld second and third. In Ferrari's first 'home' race in San Marino , their main rivals McLaren stunned them by qualifying 1–2, with Coulthard on pole. Schumacher was fourth behind his brother Ralf . Ralf shot to
3520-550: The following race in Spain improved Schumacher's performance in the car. He went on to dominate the remainder of the season, taking nine wins from seventeen races in total and claiming his second world title. Herbert took his first career podium in Spain and then went on to win the British and Italian Grands Prix. This combined effort won Benetton its first constructors' championship, ending Williams' three-year reign. Herbert later claimed
3608-507: The horrific accident of Alessandro Zanardi in the Champ Car World Series the day before, Michael Schumacher asked all the drivers to go slowly at the first corner. This plan failed when Jacques Villeneuve and Benetton boss Flavio Briatore did not accept it. The Ferrari did adjust their livery: they ran without sponsors' logos, in deference to sponsor Philip Morris USA , and with a black tip on their nose, out of respect for
Renault R23 - Misplaced Pages Continue
3696-451: The injuries ended his Formula One career. EuroBrun driver Roberto Moreno had become available after the backmarker team pulled out of the sport, and so he was hired as Nannini's replacement. The next race in Japan marked Benetton's first ever 1-2 finish, as well as Moreno's first and only career podium. Benetton ended the season 3rd in the championship with 71 points. A new title sponsor
3784-409: The lead at the start, passing both McLarens before the first corner, and was never headed. Coulthard finished second, with Barrichello jumping Häkkinen in the stops to take third. Michael Schumacher had a miserable afternoon, suffering a gearbox glitch early on and then having to retire after a puncture that damaged the wheel rim and a brake duct. After four races, Schumacher and Coulthard were level on
3872-442: The majority of the race stuck behind Enrique Bernoldi . The race in Canada was a battle between the Schumacher brothers, with Michael taking pole and maintaining his lead at the first corner. Ralf, however, kept up with him, and when his brother pitted, upped the pace with a string of quick laps, and came out five seconds ahead. Ralf cruised to victory, with his brother making it the first time ever that brothers had finished 1–2 in
3960-520: The mark of 200 Grands Prix shortly before his final race in Japan . Veteran British sports commentator Murray Walker provided his final commentary at the United States Grand Prix , where Häkkinen took home what would be his last win. Finally, the Prost team folded at the end of the year due to a lack of finances, while Benetton was re-branded as Renault after the French manufacturer bought
4048-462: The move in the British courts, but they found in favour of Benetton. 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 . Piquet had retired from Formula One, and
4136-583: The new points system, allowing him to secure two points for seventh place. At the following race in Malaysia, Fernando Alonso secured pole position. Alonso was both the youngest driver and first Spaniard to take a pole position in F1 at the time. In the race, Alonso would finish in third taking his first podium in Formula One. At the third race of the season in Brazil , Alonso would once again take third place. However,
4224-434: The number of retirements and claiming seven podium finishes, all 3rd places. Boutsen had finished 3rd in Belgium , however both Benettons were disqualified from the race after the season had concluded for fuel irregularities. The team finished the season 3rd in the championship with 39 points. For 1989 , Boutsen left Benetton to join Williams and was replaced by rookie Johnny Herbert . The new engine developed by Ford for
4312-498: The podium. Kimi Räikkönen finished his first F1 race in the points with sixth place. The race was marred by the death of Graham Beveridge, a track marshal who was hit by debris after a collision between Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve . Schumacher and Barrichello started 1–2 in Malaysia and maintained their positions at the first corner, but there was a massive rain shower on the second lap, during which both Ferraris went off
4400-553: The powerful BMW M12 . Teo 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
4488-399: The reliability. Their first victim was David Coulthard , who stalled on the grid and had to start from the back. The race saw a battle between Schumacher and Häkkinen, with the former winning pole and leading the opening two thirds of the race. During the second pit stop, however, Schumacher had a problem and lost the lead to Häkkinen, who then stretched his lead to half a minute, as Schumacher
SECTION 50
#17328798681424576-417: The remainder of the season. Renault was innovative during this period producing non-standard designs such as the 111° 10-cylinder engine for the 2003 RS23 which was designed to effectively lower the center of gravity of the engine and thus improve the car's handling. This eventually proved too unreliable and heavy, so Renault returned to a 72 degree vee angle with the following year's R24 . The Renault R23
4664-415: The returning Gerhard Berger, both of whom had left Ferrari. Williams returned to dominance in 1996 and Schumacher's departure allowed Ferrari to compete for race wins, leaving Benetton struggling. The B196 took ten podium finishes, but the team failed to win a race for the first time since 1988. Alesi and Berger were on course to win the Monaco and German Grands Prix respectively, but both retired late in
4752-456: The season 4th in the championship with 20 points. The Renault name returned to Formula One in 2001 as Benetton received a supply of full-works Renault engines. Wurz's struggles in 2000 saw him replaced with a young Jenson Button , who had been dropped by Williams. Despite these changes, Benetton suffered a dismal start to 2001 with the B201 often barely qualifying in the top 20. Only a single point
4840-423: The season with a victory ahead of Montoya and Coulthard. At the end of the season, Schumacher was a dominant champion with 123 points. Coulthard with 65 was a distant second (58 points behind). Barrichello was third with 56, which meant that Michael had collected more points than the second and third-placed drivers put together. Ralf Schumacher was fourth with 49, Häkkinen fifth with 37, and Montoya sixth with 31. In
4928-465: The season. Despite these impressive results and improvements in the team's performance in 1992 and 1993, Benetton were not able to provide Schumacher with a car to challenge for the world championship, and were outclassed by the dominant Williams team. Camel was replaced as the team's title sponsor for 1994 by Japanese cigarette brand Mild Seven . This meant Benetton adopted sky blue as the main car colour. Patrese retired from Formula One, ending what
5016-507: The second constructor (after Shadow in 1976 ) to officially change its nationality. The Benetton family wanted this change of nationality to have their Formula One team flying the flag of their own country. At the 1997 German Grand Prix Benetton became the only constructor to have won races under more than one nationality. The team was based in the UK throughout, initially at the former Toleman factory in Witney, Oxfordshire , before moving to
5104-515: 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". After eight years of Ford power, Benetton switched to full-works Renault V10 engines for 1995 and thus Ford switched allegiances to then-youngest Formula One constructor Sauber . Herbert
5192-514: The standings with 26 points, Barrichello and Ralf were third with 14 and 12 points respectively. Häkkinen had only 4 and was only seventh in the standings. In the Constructors' Championship, Ferrari led with 40, with McLaren second with 30. Williams was third with 12. The next round in Spain was the first after the reintroduction of traction control , launch control , and fully-automatic transmissions . The driving aids were brought back to ensure no teams were cheating, but questions were raised over
5280-464: The struggling Lotus team. Benetton used a modified B189 before introducing the B190 at the third race of the season. 1990 proved to be the team's most successful to date, with Piquet winning the final two races of the season and the team achieving six other podium finishes. 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
5368-502: The team and was rebranded it Renault Sport Formula One Team in 2016 , then becoming Alpine in 2021 . The team continues to operate from the site at Enstone established by Benetton in 1992. The Benetton team is today best known for its success with Michael Schumacher, who accounts for 19 of the team's 27 race victories and their two World Drivers' Championships. Benetton Team had a British licence from 1986 to 1995 and an Italian licence from 1996 to 2001 , thus becoming only
SECTION 60
#17328798681425456-509: The team failed to provide him with equal equipment and accused them of favouring Schumacher. Benetton began racing under Italian nationality for the 1996 season, but remained based in the United Kingdom. Despite being contracted to race for Benetton, Schumacher left early to join Ferrari, citing the team's actions in 1994 as his reason for opting out. Herbert was dropped by the team and joined Sauber. Their replacements were Jean Alesi and
5544-515: The team still achieved a number of podium finishes over the season. Berger was forced to miss three races due to illness and the death of his father; his replacement was rookie test driver Alexander Wurz . Wurz scored a podium in Britain , only his third race in Formula One. Berger returned for the German Grand Prix , winning the race from pole position in dominant fashion. However, this would turn out to be Benetton's last victory in Formula One, as well as
5632-447: The team would retain the Benetton name. As part of their restructuring, Renault brought back Flavio Briatore as team manager. The B200 was an improvement on its predecessor, claiming three podium finishes, including 2nd place in Brazil after David Coulthard was disqualified. All three of these podiums were scored by Fisichella; Wurz struggled with the car and only claimed a single points finish with 5th place in Italy . Benetton ended
5720-495: The team's first victory since Alain Prost at the 1983 Austrian Grand Prix as a full constructor and the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix as an engine supplier. The final three races of the season saw Alonso score one point and two retirements, while teammate Trulli took the R23B to another two points scoring finishes. The R23 and R23B steered Renault to a fourth-place finish in the Constructors' Championship with 88 points. Renault used
5808-486: The team, including an impressive podium finish for Fisichella in Belgium . 2001 was the final season featuring the Benetton name, as the team was fully re-branded as the Renault F1 Team for the 2002 season. The Renault F1 Team would go on to win the drivers' and constructors' championships in both 2005 and 2006 with Fernando Alonso . The team was sold off and became Lotus F1 Team in 2012 . Renault re-purchased
5896-468: The title. Williams were third with 56, within touching distance of McLaren. After the summer break, Michael Schumacher took another step to winning the title by taking pole position at the Hungarian GP , ahead of David Coulthard and Rubens Barrichello . He kept the lead at the start, but Coulthard was passed by Barrichello. Coulthard then jumped Barrichello at the first round of pit stops , only for
5984-520: The top 3 were Michael Schumacher, his brother Ralf and Barrichello. However, Ralf's car was still on its jacks when the warm-up lap started and he had to start at the back. Michael kept the lead at the start and pulled away, while Barrichello lost out to Giancarlo Fisichella . Barrichello lost further time when he ran over a bollard at the Bus Stop chicane and damaging his front wing, and he had to go around for an entire lap before he could pit and change
6072-453: The track. After everyone pitted to change tyres, they were down in 10th and 11th, but they changed to intermediate tyres , while all others had changed to full wets . This masterstroke meant that the Ferraris were able to charge back up the order and get back first and second. Schumacher won, with Barrichello completing a Ferrari 1–2, and Coulthard was third. Schumacher was on pole in Brazil, but
6160-407: The white line after his first pit stop and received a stop-go penalty , which dropped him out of contention. This left Michael Schumacher to cruise to another victory, with Juan Pablo Montoya in second and David Coulthard in third. Ralf, even with his penalty, was able to get fourth ahead of Rubens Barrichello and Mika Häkkinen . In France , the Schumacher brothers started 1–2 again, but it
6248-506: The wing. This left the two McLarens pressuring Fisichella for second. David Coulthard was able to pass the Jordan with 10 laps left. Schumacher took his 52nd career win, breaking Alain Prost 's record of most wins ever, with Coulthard and Fisichella completing the podium. The next round was in Italy . It was the first race after the September 11 attacks . Because of this, and also thinking of
6336-487: Was Montoya in first place, taking his first career pole. He kept the lead at the start and was looking well set to win until his engine blew up. This left Ralf Schumacher to cruise to victory. Barrichello took second and Jacques Villeneuve third, both of them capitalising on Michael Schumacher's retirement with a fuel pressure problem and the fact that both McLarens retired with engine failure. Schumacher now had no less than 84 points and it seemed inevitable that he would win
6424-545: Was Ralf who took his first-ever career pole. Ralf maintained his lead at the start, but his brother jumped him at the first round of stops and then pulled away. Coulthard, who had started third, was in contention until he went over the white line while coming out of the pit lane and received a stop-go penalty. Montoya was running quickly and could have challenged his teammate for a second, had his engine not blown up. Schumacher won comfortably from Ralf, with Barrichello holding off Coulthard for third. Michael Schumacher took pole for
6512-511: Was acquired 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 . Piquet achieved an unexpected victory in Canada after Nigel Mansell retired on
6600-530: Was declared fit for the San Marino Grand Prix , but would only score a single point in the following four races and was replaced again by Verstappen for the French Grand Prix onwards. Schumacher finished 2nd at the British Grand Prix , but was deemed to have overtaken Damon Hill on the formation lap and then ignored black flags . He was disqualified from the results after the race, and later handed
6688-529: Was dropped by the team after failing to qualify for the Canadian Grand Prix as it became clear he had still not fully recovered. He was replaced by rookie and McLaren test driver Emanuele Pirro . The B189 was finally ready to compete at the following race. Nannini would go on to achieve Benetton's first victory since 1986 at the Japanese Grand Prix after Ayrton Senna was disqualified. Pirro
6776-552: Was formed in 1985 when the Toleman team was sold to the Benetton family . 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,
6864-411: Was host to the penultimate round and Schumacher took pole ahead of his brother and Montoya. Schumacher led into the first corner, while Ralf lost out to both Montoya and Barrichello. A two-stopping Barrichello soon took the lead and subsequently pitted. Montoya passed Michael Schumacher before the round of stops, but two laps after his stop, he retired with engine failure. At the half-way point, Barrichello
6952-785: Was launched at an official ceremony in Lucerne , Switzerland in January, 2003. At this initial launch, it was confirmed sponsor Mild Seven would be continuing to be the primary sponsor of the team. Just days later, the Renault team re-launched the car at the Paul Ricard Circuit in France . The double launch was caused by Renault promising a branded car launch for sponsor Mild Seven, something that would be illegal in France. Both Trulli and Alonso completed laps of
7040-442: Was leading from Mika Häkkinen , Schumacher and Coulthard. He rejoined behind Häkkinen after his second stop, but started to close in, until his engine failed on the penultimate lap. Häkkinen took what would be his last win. Barrichello's demise left Schumacher and Coulthard to take second and third. The last round took place in Japan and Michael Schumacher took pole again, ahead of Montoya and Ralf. The top 3 kept their places into
7128-411: Was only able to secure a single points finish in his ten races with the team, taking 5th place in Australia . Benetton ended the season 4th in the championship with 39 points. Prior to the 1990 season, the team management was fired and businessman Flavio Briatore was appointed team manager by the Benetton family. Pirro was dropped in favour of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet , who had left
7216-515: Was owned by the Benetton family who run a worldwide chain of clothing stores. In 2000, the team was purchased by Renault, but competed as Benetton for the 2000 and 2001 seasons. In 2002 , the team became Renault . The Benetton Formula team was chaired by Alessandro Benetton from 1988 to 1998. 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
7304-462: Was replaced by experienced Brabham driver Martin Brundle . 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 Schumacher achieved two podium finishes. The B192 was a marked improvement, with eleven more podium finishes including a victory at Spa-Francorchamps , the first of Schumacher's career. Benetton ended the season 3rd in
7392-455: Was retained alongside Schumacher, whilst test driver Verstappen was loaned to the struggling Simtek team. Schumacher was initially critical of the new B195 , claiming that it was difficult to control. The car was outclassed by the Williams FW17 in the early season, with the team's poor performance culminating in Schumacher crashing out from pole position at Imola . However, setup changes at
7480-418: Was salvaged in the first eleven races, when Fisichella finished 6th in Brazil after twelve other cars failed to finish. The team's fortunes began to change at the German Grand Prix , when Fisichella and Button finishing 4th and 5th respectively. Continued chassis development allowed Benetton to leave Formula One on something of a high, and the cars' performance lifted. Button and Fisichella scored 10 points for
7568-515: Was served at the following two races, during which Lehto returned to the team as a replacement. In an attempt to win the constructors' championship, Benetton replaced Verstappen with the more experienced Johnny Herbert for the final two races of the season, marking his return to the team. This was ultimately unsuccessful after Herbert retired from both races. Despite Benetton losing the constructors' championship to Williams, Schumacher won his first world title after colliding with championship rival Hill at
7656-407: Was struggling with a suspension problem. Ironically and shockingly, it was Häkkinen's car that gave out on the last lap with a clutch failure, giving the win to Schumacher. Juan Pablo Montoya finished second and Jacques Villeneuve completed the podium. Coulthard recovered to fifth. The sixth round took place in Austria , where the two Williams cars out-dragged polesitter Michael Schumacher into
7744-609: Was the longest career in the sport's history. He was replaced by Sauber driver JJ Lehto . However, Lehto was injured whilst testing the B194 prior to the start of the season and Benetton's test driver Jos Verstappen was brought up to replace him. The B194 was dominant in the hands of Schumacher, winning six of the first seven races including the tragedy-marred 1994 San Marino Grand Prix and taking Benetton's first pole positions since 1986. Verstappen and Lehto were less successful. Verstappen retired from his first two races after accidents. Lehto
#141858