Benetton Formula Limited

Location: Enstone, England
Years in F1: 1986 - 2001
Team championships: 1995
Drivers Championships: 1995, 1994
Grand Prix victories: 27
Races started: 260
Pole positions: 15

Benetton team history

The Italian clothing company started by sponsoring teams, then went on to buy the struggling Toleman team. The fortune of the team improved in 1991 when it signed Michael Schumacher, who then went on to win two drivers championships with the team and also led them to a constructors championship. From the 2002 season the team became the Renault works team.
Key staff: Flavio Briatore, Ross Brawn, Mike Gascoyne, Pat Symonds, Rory Byrne, Pat Fry, Nick Wirth, John Barnard

Previous seasons

2001

Position: 7
Points: 10
Race wins: 0
Giancarlo Fisichella 11th 8 points
Jenson Button 17th 2 points
At the end of the season Renault fully took over the team and re-branded it as Renault for 2002.

2000

Position: 4
Points: 20
Race wins: 0
Giancarlo Fisichella 6th 18 points
Alexander Wurz 15th 2 points
At the start of this season the team was sold to Renault.

1999

Position: 6
Points: 16
Race wins: 0
Giancarlo Fisichella 9th 13 points
Alexander Wurz 13th 3 points
This was a difficult season with only one podium finish.

1998

Position: 5
Points: 33
Race wins: 0
Giancarlo Fisichella 9th 16 points
Alexander Wurz 8th 17 points
Flavio Briattori was replaced by David Richards of Prodrive. A couple of second places gave them 5th place in the constructors championship.

1997

Position: 3
Points: 67
Race wins: 1
Jean Alesi 4th 36 points
Gerhard Berger 5th 27 points
With the loss of Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne they could not compete with Williams and Ferrari. Gerhard Berger's race win in Germany was Benetton's last race win.

1996

Position: 3
Points: 68
Race wins: 0
Jean Alesi 4th 47 points
Gerhard Berger 6th 21 points
Benetton had two new drivers this season and despite 10 podium finishes, there were no race wins leaving them third in the constructors championship.

1995

Position: 1
Points: 137
Race wins: 11
Michael Schumacher 1st 102 points
Johnny Herbert 4th 45 points
Michael Schumacher won his second drivers championship and Benetton their only constructors championship.

1994

Position: 2
Points: 103
Race wins: 8
Michael Schumacher 1st 92 points
Jos Verstappen 10th 10 points
Michael Schumacher won his first drivers championship though Benetton had to settle for second in the constructors championship behind Williams

1993

Position: 3
Points: 72
Race wins: 1
Michael Schumacher 4th 52 points
Riccardo Patrese 5th 20 points

1992

Position: 3
Points: 91
Race wins: 1
Michael Schumacher 3rd 53 points
Martin Brundle 6th 38 points
This season Tom Wilkinshaw bought a stake in the team and brought in Ross Brawn.

1991

Position: 4
Points: 38.5
Race wins: 1
Nelson Piquet 6th 26.5 points
Roberto Moreno 10th 8 points
Michael Schumacher 14th 4 points
Michael Schumacher was brought in part way through the season from Jordan.

1990

Position: 3
Points: 71
Race wins: 2
Nelson Piquet 3rd 43 points
Alessandro Nannini 8th 21 points
Flavio Briattore was brought in as team manager.

1989

Position: 4
Points: 39
Race wins: 1
Alessandro Nannini 6th 32 points
Johnny Herbert 14th 5 points

1988

Position: 3
Points: 39
Race wins: 0
Thierry Boutsen 4th 27 points
Alessandro Nannini 10th 12 points
This season's car was more reliable with seven third place finishes.

1987

Position: 5
Points: 28
Race wins: 0
Thierry Boutsen 8th 16 points
Teo Fabi 9th 12 points
The Ford engine had reliability problems but points were scored in most races that were completed.

1986

Position: 6
Points: 19
Race wins: 1
Gerhard Berger 7th 17 points
Teo Fabi 16th 2 points
The first season was mixed with a lack of reliability but 2 pole positions and a race win.