Confirming the title for the third consecutive year is certainly no easy task for a Formula 1 team, and what happened to Benetton in 1996 is proof of that. Flavio Briatore’s efforts to bring Benetton Formula to success paid off to the fullest in 1994 and 1995, with German champion Michael Schumacher managing to win the title in both seasons. The team also secured its only constructors' title in 1995, thanks in part to Briatore's strategic move to equip the cars with the fantastic Renault V10 engine. However, the lure of the red cars from Maranello, alongside a colossal contract, led Schumacher to leave the team at the end of ’95, creating a void that would be hard to fill. All of Benetton’s technical efforts in recent years had been aimed at accommodating Schumacher’s unique driving style, producing cars that were difficult for other drivers to interpret.
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| BENETTON B196, Gerhard Berger Monza, Italian GP 1996 |
In 1996, the two new arrivals at Benetton, Frenchman Jean Alesi and Austrian Gerhard Berger, former Ferrari teammates, faced exactly this issue, struggling to fully exploit the potential of the B196. This car was a direct evolution of the B195, which had been built around Schumacher and tailored entirely to his needs. In hindsight, it’s not surprising to understand why various teammates of the German champion struggled to push those cars to the limit. In addition to the driver changes, another significant shift for Benetton was its change of nationality: the team abandoned its British license, originally inherited with the acquisition of Toleman in 1985, and began racing with an Italian license from this season onward. The technical team led by team manager Flavio Briatore remained almost unchanged, with Ross Brawn continuing as technical director, Rory Byrne as chief designer, Pat Symonds heading R&D, and Nikolas Tombazis remaining head of aerodynamics.
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| BENETTON B196, Jean Alesi Estoril, Portuguese GP 1996 |
As mentioned, the new B196 was a direct evolution of the previous B195, now featuring a new seven-speed semi-automatic gearbox, though only six gears were used. However, the new Benetton-built gearbox was heavier and bulkier than the previous version, leading to a longer car and, more critically, a redistribution of weight that disrupted the car’s delicate balance. The chassis and suspension remained the same, while the new Renault RS8 V10 engine delivered 700 hp at 14,500 rpm in race configuration and up to 760 hp at 16,000 rpm in qualifying trim. This latest version was supplied exclusively to Benetton and Williams. However, flawed design of the air intake above the driver’s head and the sidepods housing the radiators prevented the B196 from unleashing the full potential of the French engine, which delivered much better performance in the Williams FW18.
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| BENETTON B196, Gerhard Berger Hungaroring, Hungarian GP 1996 |
Apart from the new cockpit side protection, mandatory by regulation from 1996, and the redesigned upper sidepods (no longer featuring the B195’s distinctive scooped section), the B196 didn’t differ much from its predecessor. The livery also remained largely unchanged: white and blue, reflecting main sponsor Mild-Seven, with the return of Benetton green on the sidepods. Despite this, the B196 proved to be highly competitive and, especially with Alesi, achieved solid results in the early part of the season, scoring six podiums, though never a victory. Mid-season updates included significant changes to the car’s underbody, a new diffuser profile, and revised rear suspension. However, results fell short of expectations and even deteriorated toward the end of the year. As a result, development was frozen to focus on the 1997 car. Alesi, who many had tipped as a title contender at the start of the season, maintained strong performances, scoring eight podiums and several points finishes, earning him fourth place in the Drivers’ Championship. Berger, on the other hand, struggled all season, hindered by the B196’s lack of reliability, and only reached the podium twice, finishing sixth in the standings with just 21 points.
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| BENETTON B196, Jean Alesi Nürburgring, European GP 1996 |
Ultimately, the B196 proved to be second only to the untouchable Williams FW18, although Benetton Formula finished only third in the Constructors' Championship, overtaken by Ferrari in the final race, thanks to Schumacher’s second place with the F310. One curious detail about the B196 concerns its launch event, held in the enchanting setting of Taormina on Sicily’s eastern coast. Briatore organized an impressive show, with the B196 cars roaring through the narrow streets of the small Sicilian town before heading to the ancient Greek theater, where the new era of the Italian team was unveiled to the specialized press. In post-season testing at the Estoril circuit in Portugal, Benetton offered former driver Alessandro Nannini, who had lost part of his right forearm in a 1990 accident, the emotional opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1 car, driving the B196.
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