Benetton B201

Last updated
Benetton B201
Button 2001 French Grand Prix.jpg
Jenson Button driving a B201 at the 2001 French Grand Prix
Category Formula One
Constructor Benetton
Designer(s) Mike Gascoyne (Technical Director)
Mark Smith (Chief Designer)
Bernard Dudot (Engine Technical Director)
Predecessor B200
Successor Renault R202
Technical specifications
Chassis Carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)double wishbone, pushrod
Engine Renault RS21 V10 (111°) naturally aspirated mid-engine
Transmission Benetton 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power780 hp @ 17,400 rpm
Fuel Elf
Tyres Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants Mild Seven Benetton Renault
Notable drivers7. Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Fisichella
8. Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button
Debut 2001 Australian Grand Prix
Last event 2001 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWins Podiums Poles F/Laps
170100
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Benetton B201 was the car with which the Benetton team competed in the 2001 Formula One World Championship; it was the last car constructed and raced by Benetton. It was driven by Italian Giancarlo Fisichella, who was in his fourth year with the team, and Briton Jenson Button, who moved from Williams after his début season in 2000. Australian Mark Webber served as test driver whilst racing in F3000. [1]

Contents

Design and development

Parts for the B201 began testing early using a modified B200, known as the B200B. This car was tested up until late January, with both Button and Fisichella working on the RS21 engine and electronic systems for the new car. [2]

On February 2, Fisichella completed the first shakedown of the new B201 before a private press launch. Days later, the car was officially launched in an extravagant ceremony in Piazza San Marco, Venice. The event was said to cost around $500,000. [3]

In early interviews, the team were very satisfied with the development of the new Renault RS21 engine. It was an unusually wide angled 112° configuration which allowed a lower centre of gravity and was notably lighter than previous engines used by Benetton from Supertec. However, due to reliability issues during the season it was strengthened significantly which added to the vehicle weight. [4] The team had hired Mike Gascoyne from Jordan Grand Prix during 2000, and in January 2001 also brought over Gascoyne's former Jordan colleague, Mark Smith. [5] [6]

For 2001, Benetton were one of the teams that switched from Bridgestone to the new alternative manufacturer Michelin. [7]

The B201 did not impress in testing, a schedule that included the drivers embarking on 9 days at Estoril Circuit. [8] [9] During the season, Renault chief Jean-Jacques His  [ fr ] claimed that the teams 2001 designs were 'hacked' the season prior, and a huge redesign was the reason for their lack of pace. [10]

In season testing was extensive, as they got to grips with the aerodynamic and engine challenges. [11] A major update to the B201 at the midpoint of 2001 allowed a significant improvement for the second half of the year. [4]

The B201 was once again title sponsored by Japanese tobacco company, Mild Seven and finished in a pale blue colour. Many of the sponsors from 2000 were retained including D2, Marconi and Korean Air. When Mild Seven were unable to display logos at races, the drivers names instead replaced their logo on the engine cover.

Racing performance

The season started poorly for the B201. Fisichella qualified 17th at Albert Park, after losing time due to reliability issues. He later described the B201 as undriveable. [12] In the race, both cars were lapped by the field and Button retired late due an exhaust problem. [13] At the second round in Malaysia, the car was still struggling throughout practice and qualifying. [14] [15] In the race, only Button finished - in 11th - which marked the teams best result. [16] The B201 finally scored a point at Brazil, when Fisichella finished in sixth place.

As the season moved into Europe, reliability issues continued to hamper the B201's performance. Fisichella would retire in San Marino and Monaco, whilst neither car finished the Austrian Grand Prix. Button nearly scored points in Monaco, where the team had shown pace throughout the weekend, but would finish seventh. [17] [18]

After a double retirement in Canada, the team returned to the European Grand Prix with confidence in a new launch control system to be used for the first time on the B201. [19] Whilst some improvements were noted during practice, both cars finished outside the top 10. [20] [21] Further developments were added to the B201 ahead of the next race in France, although results did not notably improve until the German Grand Prix. For the first time, both cars finished in the points with Fisichella in fourth, and Button fifth. [22] However, after this success, both cars would retire from the next race and Button from the following two.

The B201's best finish would come in Belgium, with Fisichella finishing third in a chaotic race that was red flagged in the opening laps, before being restarted. [23]

No further points were added to the team total after this race, and the B201 scored a total of 10 points with Benetton finishing the season in seventh place in the Constructors Championship. [24] Overall, the team vastly improved the results in the second half of the season in contrast to the previous 1998–2000 seasons.

Renault B201

Following the conclusion of the season, Renault, who were due to formally become the replacement for Benetton in the World Championship, utilised the B201 for a number of pre-season tests. These took place throughout late 2001 and early 2002 with Jenson Button, Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso driving. The cars were repainted in an interim white with yellow livery. The cars were used to test various engine, aerodynamic and electronic improvements. [25]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers1234567891011121314151617PointsWCC
2001 Mild Seven Benetton Renault Renault V10 M AUS MAL BRA SMR ESP AUT MON CAN EUR FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA USA JPN 107th
Flag of Italy.svg Giancarlo Fisichella 13Ret6Ret14RetRetRet1111134Ret310817†
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg Jenson Button 14†11101215Ret7Ret1316†155RetRetRet97

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault in Formula One</span> Formula One activities of Renault

Renault, a French automobile manufacturer, has been associated with Formula One as both team owner and engine manufacturer for various periods since 1977. In 1977, the company entered Formula One as a constructor, introducing the turbo engine to Formula One with its EF1 engine. In 1983, Renault began supplying engines to other teams. Although the Renault team had won races, it withdrew at the end of 1985. Renault engines continued to be raced until 1986.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benetton Formula</span> Former motor racing team

Benetton Formula Ltd., commonly referred to simply as Benetton, 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 of the same name. 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Australian Grand Prix</span> First round of the 2004 Formula One season

The 2004 Australian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 7 March 2004 at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit. It was Race 1 of 18 in the 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship. Michael Schumacher won the race for Ferrari from pole position in dominant fashion, with his teammate Rubens Barrichello finishing behind him in second. This 1–2 finish gave Ferrari a strong 9-point lead in the constructors' standings after just one race. Williams and Renault each had both cars finish in the points while McLaren, a team that had enjoyed success in years preceding this, only managed one point, with David Coulthard finishing a lapped 8th. The 1-2 finish for Schumacher and Barrichello was the first one-two finish for their Ferrari team since the 2002 Japanese Grand Prix.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Giancarlo Fisichella</span> Italian racing driver (born 1973)

Giancarlo Fisichella, also known as Fisico, Giano or Fisi, is an Italian professional racing driver, also captain of the official Nazionale Piloti association football team. He has driven in Formula One for Minardi, Jordan, Benetton, Sauber, Renault, Force India and Ferrari. Since then he has driven for AF Corse in their Ferrari 458 GTE at various sportscar events, becoming twice a Le Mans 24 Hour class winner, and a GT class winner of the Petit Le Mans at Road Atlanta. He was also Ferrari's F1 reserve driver for 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Canadian Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2000

The 2000 Canadian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 18 June 2000 at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal, Quebec, Canada before 100,000 people. It was the eighth round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the 38th Canadian Grand Prix. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won the 69-lap race from pole position. His teammate Rubens Barrichello finished second with Benetton's Giancarlo Fisichella third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 French Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2000

The 2000 French Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race contested on 2 July 2000 at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in Magny-Cours, Burgundy, Central France, attended by 112,112 spectators. It was the 86th French Grand Prix and the ninth round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship. McLaren's David Coulthard won the 72-lap race after starting second. His teammate Mika Häkkinen finished second with Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Austrian Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2000 in Austria

The 2000 Austrian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 16 July 2000, at the A1-Ring near Spielberg, Styria, Austria, attended by 85,112 spectators. The 24th Austrian Grand Prix was the tenth round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship. McLaren's Mika Häkkinen won the 71-lap race from pole position, with teammate David Coulthard second and Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 German Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2000

The 2000 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race contested on 30 July 2000, at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in front of 102,000 people. It was the 62nd German Grand Prix and the 11th round of the 2000 Formula One World Championship. Ferrari's Rubens Barrichello won the 45-lap race after starting 18th. McLaren's Mika Häkkinen finished second, with teammate David Coulthard third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2000 Hungarian Grand Prix</span> 12th round of the 2000 Formula One season

The 2000 Hungarian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 13 August 2000, at the Hungaroring in Mogyoród, Pest, Hungary, attended by 120,000 spectators. The race was the twelfth of seventeen in the 2000 Formula One World Championship and the 18th in Hungary. Mika Häkkinen, driving a McLaren-Mercedes, won the 77-lap race after starting third. Ferrari's Michael Schumacher finished second after qualifying on pole position in the one-hour qualifying session the day before the race. Häkkinen's teammate David Coulthard finished third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2001 German Grand Prix</span> Formula One motor race held in 2001

The 2001 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held on 29 July 2001 at the Hockenheimring in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. It was the 12th round of the 2001 Formula One World Championship and the 63rd German Grand Prix. Williams driver Ralf Schumacher won the 45-lap race starting from second. Rubens Barrichello finished second for Ferrari with BAR driver Jacques Villeneuve third scoring his last F1 podium finish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 Formula One World Championship</span> 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 2004 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 58th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It was the 55th FIA Formula One World Championship, and was contested over eighteen races from 7 March to 24 October 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2002 Formula One World Championship</span> 56th season of FIA Formula One motor racing

The 2002 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 56th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It began on 3 March and ended on 13 October after seventeen races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Formula One World Championship</span> 63rd season of Formula One motor racing

The 2009 FIA Formula One World Championship was the 63rd season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 60th Formula One World Championship which was contested over 17 events commencing with the Australian Grand Prix on 29 March and ending with the inaugural Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on 1 November.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benetton B200</span> Formula One racing car

The Benetton B200 was the car with which the Benetton Formula One team competed in the 2000 Formula One season. It was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz, both in their third season with the team. Hidetoshi Mitsusada was appointed the teams test driver, before being dropped in May.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Benetton B199</span> Formula One racing car

The Benetton B199 is a Formula One racing car with which the Benetton team competed in the 1999 Formula One season. It was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella and Alexander Wurz, who were both in their second full seasons with the team. Laurent Redon was the team test driver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stewart SF3</span> Formula One racing car

The Stewart SF3 was the Formula One car the Stewart Grand Prix team used to compete in the 1999 Formula One season. It was driven by Rubens Barrichello, in his third season with the team, and Johnny Herbert, who joined from Sauber.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 Malaysian Grand Prix</span> Motor car race

The 2007 Malaysian Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race, held on 8 April 2007 at the Sepang International Circuit and the second race of the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championship. Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso won the race from second on the grid, with McLaren teammate Lewis Hamilton finishing second. This marked McLaren's first one-two finish since the 2005 Brazilian Grand Prix. Previous race winner Kimi Räikkönen finished third. Räikkönen's Ferrari teammate Felipe Massa started the race from pole position, but was passed by both McLarens in the first two corners of the first lap, eventually finishing in fifth place behind BMW's Nick Heidfeld.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault R202</span> Formula One racing car

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Renault R23</span> Formula One racing car

The Renault R23 is a Formula One car that competed in the 2003 Formula One season. The driver lineup were Jarno Trulli and Fernando Alonso who replaced Jenson Button who left for British American Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Force India</span> Former Indian Formula One racing team

Force India Formula One Team Limited, commonly known as Force India and later Sahara Force India, was a Formula One racing team and constructor based in Silverstone, United Kingdom, with an Indian licence. The team was formed in October 2007 when a consortium led by Indian businessman Vijay Mallya and Dutch businessman Michiel Mol bought the Spyker F1 team for €88 million.

References

  1. ↑ "Benetton Tester Webber Signs F3000 Deal". Autosport. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  2. ↑ "Benetton Duo Test at Silverstone". AtlasF1. Archived from the original on 2002-02-10. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  3. ↑ "Best F1 car launches: 2001 Benetton B201 launch in Piazza San Marco, Venice". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  4. 1 2 "Benetton B201". www.f1technical.net. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  5. ↑ "Benetton Confirm Smith's Appointment". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-10-05. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  6. ↑ "Jordan Designer Quits to Join Benetton". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2002-01-09. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  7. ↑ "Benetton confirms Michelin deal". grandprix.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "Button completes Benetton testing at Estoril". grandprix.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  9. ↑ "Gascoyne Believes Benetton Needed More Testing". Autosport. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Benetton problems blamed on espionage". crash.net. 17 July 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  11. ↑ "Benetton hones its aero package in France". Autosport. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "'Undriveable' Benetton for Fisichella". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-04-13. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  13. ↑ "Poor Start of the Season for Benetton". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-04-14. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  14. ↑ "Benetton Strike Problems Again". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-04-13. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  15. ↑ "Benetton Continue to Struggle". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-04-14. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  16. ↑ "Benetton Boss Happy to Get Car to the Finish". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-04-14. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  17. ↑ "Promising Performance for Benetton". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-11-11. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  18. ↑ "Grand Prix de Monaco 2001 - RACE RESULT". F1. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  19. ↑ "Benetton ready to unleash launch control". RTE. 20 June 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  20. ↑ "Benetton Show Improved Performance". Atlasf1. Archived from the original on 2001-11-01. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  21. ↑ "FORMULA 1 2001 EUROPEAN GRAND PRIX RESULTS". racing-statistics.com. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  22. ↑ "Benetton Boosted by Double Points Finish". Autosport. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  23. ↑ "Belgium GP 2001 - Schu takes a record 52nd win..." crash.net. 2 September 2001. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  24. ↑ "BENETTON IN 2001". racing-statistics.co.uk. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
  25. ↑ "B201: Benetton's last, Renault's first F1 car". unracedf1.com. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 7 August 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.