Benetton B187

Last updated
Benetton B187
Category Formula One
Constructor Benetton
Designer(s) Rory Byrne (Chief Designer)
Geoff Goddard (Cosworth Chief Race Engine Designer)
Keith Duckworth (Cosworth Engine Designer)
Predecessor B186
Successor B188
Technical specifications [1] [2]
Chassis Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front) Double wishbones, pushrods
Suspension (rear) Double wishbones, pushrods
Axle track Front: 1,816 mm (71.5 in)
Rear: 1,682 mm (66.2 in)
Wheelbase 2,692 mm (106.0 in)
Engine Ford TEC, 1,497 cc (91.4 cu in), 120° V6, turbo (4.0 Bar limited), mid-engine, longitudinally mounted
Transmission Benetton 6-speed manual
Weight540 kg (1,190 lb)
Fuel Mobil
Tyres Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants Benetton Formula Ltd
Notable drivers19. Flag of Italy.svg Teo Fabi
20. Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Thierry Boutsen
Debut 1987 Brazilian Grand Prix
Last event 1987 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
160201
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Benetton B187 is a Formula One racing car designed by Rory Byrne and raced by the Benetton team in the 1987 Formula One World Championship. The B187 replaced the B186 used in the 1986 season.

Contents

Engine

In 1987 Benetton effectively became the Ford works team in F1 as they had exclusive use of the 120°, turbocharged Ford TEC V6 engine (internally the Cosworth designed and built engine was known as the GBA) for 1987, rated at approximately 900 bhp (671 kW; 912 PS).

The B187 was the last of a line of turbo cars produced by Benetton and its predecessor Toleman, dating back to when the latter debuted in F1 in 1981 with the Hart-powered TG181. For 1988, the B187 was replaced by the B188, which was powered by the 3.5 Litre, naturally aspirated Ford DFR V8 engine.

As of 2025, the TEC/GBA V6 turbo is the only turbocharged Formula One engine produced by Ford or Cosworth.

Competition and engine development history

Driven by Belgian Thierry Boutsen and Italian Teo Fabi, the team and the B187 got off to a good start with Boutsen finishing 5th at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix, but after that the high boost the team ran in order to keep up with their competition saw the reliability of the TEC engine become suspect. However, by running less turbo boost (which hampered speed but also saw the reliability woes go down), by mid-season both Fabi and Boutsen were regularly challenging the top 4 teams of McLaren, Williams, Lotus and Ferrari for podium finishes. Boutsen led the Mexican Grand Prix (the race the team had won in 1986) for 13 laps before being forced to retire.

The 13 laps led in Mexico were the only Formula One Grands Prix laps ever led (officially over the start/finish line) by the Ford turbo engine. Boutsen had led for half a lap on lap 17 in Brazil, but as he never led over the line he wasn't credited with leading a lap.

Boutsen finished eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points while Fabi, in his last year in F1, finished ninth with 12 points. With a total of 28 points, Benetton finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship.

Aftermath

In 1989, Jackie Stewart drove the B187 as part of a show where he drove a number of race cars, including several Formula One machines. He declared it to be one of the better cars he drove. [3]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (Results in italics indicate fastest lap)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers12345678910111213141516Pts.WCC
1987 Benetton Formula Ltd Ford TEC
V6 tc
G BRA SMR BEL MON DET FRA GBR GER HUN AUT ITA POR ESP MEX JPN AUS 285th
Flag of Italy.svg Teo Fabi RetRetRet8Ret56RetRet374Ret5RetRet
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg Thierry Boutsen 5RetRetRetRetRet7Ret4451416Ret53

References

  1. "1987 Benetton B187 Cosworth - Images, Specifications and Information". Ultimatecarpage.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. "STATS F1 • Benetton B187". Statsf1.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  3. Jackie Stewart Tests the Benetton Ford Turbo