The Renault R202 was the car with which the Renault team competed in the 2002 Formula One World Championship . It was the first Renault Formula One car following the French manufacturer's rebranding of the Benetton team. The car was driven by Briton Jenson Button , who was retained from 2001, and Italian Jarno Trulli , who joined the team from Jordan . The test driver was Spaniard Fernando Alonso , who signed from Minardi .
70-572: Keeping the tradition of the chassis naming by Benetton , Renault named the car R202. The R202 was Renault's official return to Formula One as a chassis maker and full team for 2002. The R202 was launched in Paris , France on 27 January 2002. Benetton, the team they had purchased, were fully rebranded into the Renault family with the car featuring prominent yellow streaks against pale blue. The blue for returning lead sponsor, Mild Seven , except at
140-480: A dark-skinned boy whose hair was shaped into devil horns. In 2000, Benetton was included in the reference publication Guinness World Records for the "Most Controversial Campaign". In November 2011, Benetton created the UNHATE Foundation, launching a worldwide communication campaign described as an invitation to leaders and citizens of the world to combat the "culture of hatred". Benetton claimed
210-593: A bloodied, unwashed newborn baby with umbilical cord still attached. The newborn ad prompted roughly 650 complaints to the British Advertising Standards Authority , which noted in its 1991 annual report that the Benetton baby ad "attracted more complaints than we have ever previously known." A third ad included a black stallion copulating with a white mare, while a fourth advert showed a light-skinned girl with blond hair hugging
280-459: A change in advertising focus towards raising awareness for various issues worldwide. In 1984, Toscani photographed the first multiracial ad for the brand. In 1989, Toscani refocused Benetton's advertising strategy under the "United Colors of Benetton" campaign. The campaign's graphic, billboard-sized ads depicted a variety of shocking subjects, including the deathbed scene of a man ( AIDS activist David Kirby ) dying from AIDS. Another ad featured
350-611: A change in engine supply, with Toleman's Hart engines being replaced with that of a large car manufacturer, 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
420-679: A museum in Leleque which presented the Mapuche as migrants from Chile , which was interpreted as an attempt to diminish the Mapuche's traditional claims. The Curiñanco-Nahuelquir family was evicted from their land in 2002 following Benetton's claim to it, but the land was restored in 2007. The company published a position statement regarding the Mapuche in Patagonia in 2012. Protests and occupations began again in 2015. Activist Santiago Maldonado
490-796: A network of about 5,000 stores worldwide. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Benetton family 's holding company Edizione. In 1965, the Benettons opened their first store in Belluno , in the Veneto northern region of Italy and three years after in Paris . The company's core business consists of clothing brands United Colors of Benetton and Sisley. Benetton was an iconic brand in the 1980s and 1990s, but has since struggled to regain this position. In 2000, it ranked 75th in Interbrand's ranking of
560-514: A new, modern, bigger factory at Enstone in 1992 . ( Bold indicates championships won.) Citations Bibliography Benetton Group 45°42′29″N 12°13′05″E / 45.7081087°N 12.2179756°E / 45.7081087; 12.2179756 Benetton Group S.r.l. ( Italian pronunciation: [benetˈton] ) is a global fashion brand based in Ponzano Veneto , Italy, founded in 1965. Benetton Group has
630-406: 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
700-469: 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
770-538: A study by Yale University, which analyzes the exit of foreign companies from the Russian market, Benetton group received the worst grade "F", which indicates that the company has not taken any steps to exit the Russian market and operates there with "business as usual". Meanwhile, the Changing Markets Foundation found evidence that the Benetton group uses Russian oil for its polyester products and
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#1732783262791840-585: 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
910-514: 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
980-644: A unique 111° degree cylinder bank angle featuring a lower centre of gravity than any other F1 engine at the time. The RS22 engine powering the R202 had an output of 825 hp at 17,500rpm. The R202 utilised Michelin tyres, an agreement reached prior to the French companies return to F1 in 2001. The R202 was formally tested ahead of the Australian Grand Prix at Silverstone by race team drivers Trulli and Button. Chassis 1, 2 and 3 were all utilised ahead of
1050-571: The British and French Grands Prix. In countries where advertising of tobacco products was not allowed, the Mild Seven text was replaced with "Blue World". The chassis was designed by Mike Gascoyne with support from Bob Bell, Tim Densham, John Iley and Pat Symonds. The R202 was an aerodynamic development of the 2001 car, building on the gains made from their extensive wind tunnel testing. The R202 featured Renault's RS22 V10 engine, featuring
1120-453: The Spanish round, both Button and Trulli retired from the race but were classified due to completing more than 90% of race distance. Button was heading for a career first podium finish. A further retirement in Austria meant that Trulli had only crossed the finish line in one Grand Prix driving the R202. At Monaco , Trulli's fortunes turned and the R202 scored a fourth-place finish, and at
1190-569: 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
1260-602: 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
1330-464: 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
1400-533: The Benetton family. The team saw its greatest success under Flavio Briatore , who managed the team from 1990 to 1997 . Michael Schumacher won his first Drivers' Championships with the team in 1994 and 1995 , and the team won their only Constructors' title in 1995. From 1996 , the team raced under an Italian licence, although it continued to be based, like Toleman, in Oxfordshire in England. The team
1470-678: The R202 took Renault to fourth place in the World Constructors Championship standings at the end of the season with 23 points. Button scoring 14, and Trulli 9 the pair finishing seventh and eighth in the drivers standings. The R202 would be Button's final season driving for Renault in his Formula One career. He departed for British American Racing . ( 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 ,
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#17327832627911540-632: The Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund. Protests included shutting down Benetton's flagship Oxford Street store in London. In April 2015, Benetton Group announced that it has doubled compensation for Rana Plaza victims recommended by independent assessors (PWC AND WRAP) and applied the principles of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety to global suppliers. Benetton's engagement for Bangladesh is available on their website. According to
1610-465: The best global brands; however, by 2002, it had dropped out of the list. In 2012, Benetton Group was delisted from the stock exchange and is now a fully owned subsidiary of the Benetton family company Edizione holding. In 2017, the group posted a loss of €180 million. Prompted by the heavy losses, Luciano Benetton , who was then 83 years old, returned from retirement as Executive Chairman for
1680-401: The brand. Revival efforts also included appointing French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac as artistic director and re-appointing photographer Oliviero Toscani . As of 2020, United Colors of Benetton has 1,500 employees and uses 25,000 workers through subcontractors . In March 2020, Massimo Renon was named CEO of the company. On May 25, 2024, Luciano Benetton announced that
1750-504: The campaign was created to serve as its corporate social responsibility strategy. The UNHATE poster series uses altered images of political and religious leaders, such as then- President of the United States Barack Obama and Hugo Chávez , then President of Venezuela , kissing each other. Following Vatican protests, Benetton removed an ad purportedly showing Pope Benedict XVI kissing Ahmed Mohamed el Tayeb ,
1820-491: 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
1890-636: 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,
1960-751: The club won 17 Italian titles and 2 European cups. Benetton Group has been also main sponsor of Sisley Volley (1987–2012). In 1991, Edizone Holding International , a Benetton subsidiary, bought Compañía de Tierras del Sud Argentino S. A. and became the largest private landowner in Argentina after taking over the land the company had inherited from the 19th century Conquest of the Desert . Benetton has faced criticism, particularly from Mapuche organizations, over its ownership and management of traditional Mapuche lands in Patagonia . In 1997, Benetton invested in
2030-605: The disaster site. Of the 29 brands identified as having sourced products from the Rana Plaza factories, only nine attended meetings held in November 2013 to agree a proposal on compensation to the victims. Several companies refused to sign including Walmart, Carrefour, Bonmarché, Mango, Auchan and Kik. The agreement was signed by Primark, Loblaw, Bonmarche and El Corte Ingles. A year after the collapse, Benetton faced international protests after failing to pay any compensation to
2100-440: 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 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
2170-515: 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 suffered with engine trouble at the start of the season, but became more consistent mid-season after reducing
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2240-411: 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
2310-415: 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
2380-645: 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
2450-505: The first race. Reserve driver, Fernando Alonso continued testing parts for the R202 at Silverstone into March. The season started poorly for Renault in Australia . Both Button and Trulli were eliminated due to collisions, and by Lap 9 had no runners in the field. Trulli retired from the next two Grand Prix, whilst Button finished in fourth place in both Grand Prix, scoring valuable points, and again in San Marino achieving fifth place. At
2520-505: 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
2590-503: 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 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
2660-460: The four days of talks and presentations which makes up the 88th annual International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO) congress. Benetton Group entered Formula One as a sponsor of Tyrrell in 1983 , then Alfa Romeo in 1984 ; this arrangement was extended to both Alfa and Toleman in 1985 . Benetton Formula Ltd. was formed at the end of 1985 when the Toleman and Spirit teams were sold to
2730-426: The group had a loss of 100 million and accused Massimo Renon and other executives of mismanagement. Following the departure of Massimo Renon, in 2024 Claudio Sforza was appointed CEO of Benetton Group while Christian Coco became President. Benetton is known for its sports sponsorships, and for its "United Colors" advertising campaign. In 1982, Benetton hired Oliviero Toscani as creative director , which led to
2800-569: The imam of Egypt 's Al Azhar mosque . Benetton won the Press Grand Prix at the 2012 Cannes Ad festival for its Unhate campaign. In November 2017, Benetton launched a campaign in collaboration with Devbhumi, a company owned by rural women from India 's remote Uttarakhand region. The initiative claimed to have empowered more than 6,000 rural women artisans in India. In 2019, Benetton Group announced it would be hosting one of
2870-467: 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
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2940-400: The mulesing controversy is available on their website. On 24 April 2013, the eight-storey Rana Plaza commercial building collapsed outside Dhaka . It housed one of the factories in which Benetton clothing was made. At least 1,130 people died. Benetton first denied reports linking production of their clothing at the factory, but clothes and documents linked to Benetton were discovered at
3010-477: The next race in Canada scoring a point for sixth place. However, he would retire from a further five Grand Prix driving the R202 including Renault's home race at France where Button secured a point for finishing in sixth. Trulli and Button took the R202 to its only double points finish at the 2002 Italian Grand Prix in Monza despite both having qualified outside the top ten. Despite the reliability challenges,
3080-467: The plan was shelved. Benetton's position on RFID technology is also available on their website. PETA launched a boycott campaign against Benetton for buying wool from farmers who practiced mulesing . Benetton has since agreed to buy nonmulesed wool and has further urged the wool industry to adopt the PETA and Australian Wool Growers Association agreement to end mulesing. Benetton's position statement on
3150-415: 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
3220-598: The season 3rd in the championship with 71 points. A new title sponsor 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
3290-460: 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
3360-465: 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
3430-510: 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
3500-515: 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
3570-502: 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
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#17327832627913640-571: 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
3710-499: 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. 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
3780-580: 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
3850-499: 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
3920-638: 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 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
3990-493: 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
4060-535: The upcoming ban on turbocharged engines. The B188 was once again an improvement on its predecessor, suffering almost half 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
4130-431: Was a Formula One constructor that participated from 1986 to 2001 . The team 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
4200-489: Was appointed team manager by the Benetton family. Pirro was dropped in favour of three-time world champion Nelson Piquet , who had left 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
4270-556: Was bought by Renault for US$ 120 million in 2000 and was rebranded Renault F1 in 2002. In 1979, Benetton first sponsored their (then amateur) local rugby team, A.S. Rugby Treviso. Benetton Rugby has since become a major force in Italian rugby, with 11 league titles and supplying many players to the national team. Benetton Group was the main sponsor and majority owner of basketball club Pallacanestro Treviso (then known as Benetton Basket) during its golden era from 1982 to 2012, when
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#17327832627914340-546: 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
4410-530: 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 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
4480-555: Was last seen being evicted by the Argentine National Gendarmerie from the disputed area in August 2017. His body was found two months later. Benetton aroused suspicion when they considered using RFID tracking chips on clothes to monitor inventory. A boycott site alleges the tracking chips "can be read from a distance and used to monitor the people wearing them." Issues of consumer privacy were raised, and
4550-467: 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
4620-511: Was replaced by rookie Johnny Herbert . 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 Nannini claiming a podium finish at Imola . Prior to making his Formula One debut, Herbert
4690-462: 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
4760-418: 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
4830-515: 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
4900-613: 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
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