The Early Days: From Sponsorship to Ownership
The Benetton F1 team has its origins in the Toleman team, which struggled financially in the mid-1980s. In 1985, the Benetton clothing company, owned by the Italian Benetton family, began sponsoring Toleman. By the end of that year, Toleman was sold to the Benetton family and became Benetton Formula.
In Benetton’s first year in 1986, drivers Teo Fabi and Gerhard Berger scored a few podiums. The team earned its first win with Berger in 1986 in Mexico, but it was in 1987-1988 that the team began to show promise, scoring regular points and podiums with Thierry Boutsen and Alessandro Nannini making the drivers lineup. Heading into the 1990s, Benetton had established itself as a solid upper-midfield team.
The Schumacher Era: Challenging for Titles
In 1991, Benetton made a pivotal signing by hiring the young German talent Michael Schumacher alongside triple world champion Nelson Piquet. The following year, with Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne also joining, Benetton F1 team moved to a new factory and began designing and building their own cars.
Schumacher scored Benetton’s first win in 1992 at Spa-Francorchamps. Over the next two seasons, he took several more wins but Benetton still lacked the pace to truly challenge Williams’ dominance. That all changed in 1994.
The Controversial 1994 Season
The 1994 Benetton B194 car, with Schumacher alongside JJ Lehto and Jos Verstappen, was hugely competitive. Schumacher won 6 of the first 7 races and was well on course to the title. However, allegations surfaced that Benetton was using illegal traction control and launch control systems.
While FIA found some suspicious software, they had no proof it was ever used during a race. Still, the team’s tactics during Schumacher’s black flag at the British GP and their skid block wear at the Belgian GP raised doubts about their ethics. Schumacher ultimately won the title, albeit controversially after a collision with Damon Hill in Adelaide.
Total Domination in 1995
If 1994 was controversial, 1995 left no doubt that Benetton and Schumacher deserved the championships. With 9 wins, Schumacher utterly dominated the season to defend his title. Johnny Herbert also stepped up by winning two races and helping Benetton win their first Constructors’ Championship.
Life After Schumacher: Steady Decline
In 1996, Schumacher left for Ferrari and took key personnel like Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne with him. Combined with the return of Williams to the top, this heralded a slow decline for Benetton over the next 5 seasons.
They still scored a few wins like Alesi at Germany 1997 and some podiums with capable drivers like Fisichella and Button. But unable to challenge for wins regularly, their motivation and form slowly drained away. By 2001, Benetton was bought out by Renault, becoming their factory team in 2002.
Benetton F1 Team Legacy
Though short-lived at the front, Benetton F1 Team left an indelible mark as tenacious underdogs who took the fight to the giants of their era. Through smart management, strategic hiring, and controversial tactics, they managed to beat Williams to the title.
And by providing a competitive car and trusting environment to a young Schumacher, they played a key part in fostering one of F1’s greatest talents.
Frequently Aksed Questions
How Many Races Did Benetton F1 Team Start In?
Benetton F1 team started in 260 races across 16 seasons between 1986 and 2001.
What were bENETTON’S bEST f1 Results
Benetton’s best results were the 1994 and 1995 Drivers Championship with Michael Schumacher, and 1995 Constructors Championship.
What Happened To Benetton F1 Team?
The 2001 season was a total disaster for the Benetton F1 team, which has been taken over by the Renault and changed it’s name to Renault F1 Team for the 2002 season onwards.