Benetton B201

The Benetton B201 was the car with which the Benetton team competed in the 2001 Formula One season. It was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, who was in his fourth year with the team, and Jenson Button, who moved from Williams after an impressive début season in 2000. Mark Webber served as test driver. The car had an extravagant launch in Venice during February 2001.[1]

Benetton B201
Jenson Button driving a B201
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBenetton
Designer(s)Pat Symonds (Technical Director)
Tim Densham (Chief Designer)
Ben Agathangelou (Head of Aerodynamics)
PredecessorB200
SuccessorRenault R202
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)double wishbone, pushrod
EngineRenault RS21 V10 (111°) naturally aspirated mid-engine
TransmissionBenetton 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power780 hp @ 17,400 rpm
FuelElf
TyresMichelin
Competition history
Notable entrantsMild Seven Benetton Renault
Notable drivers7. Giancarlo Fisichella
8. Jenson Button
Debut2001 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF.Laps
17000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

For the Benetton team, 2001 marked the end of an era. The team, which had existed since 1986, had been sold to engine suppliers Renault in 2000, and 2002 would mark the complete takeover of the team. However, Renault's return to F1 in 2001 as an engine supplier after a three-year hiatus proved extremely troublesome for most of the year.

The car's main problem was the unusual wide-angled (111°) engine configuration. Although this offered potential aerodynamic advantages as it sat lower in the chassis, the initial form of the engine proved to lack horsepower and reliability. The first half of the season was a disaster as the cars often struggled to qualify in the top twenty, and could only battle Minardi at the tail of the field. However, Fisichella managed to salvage a point at Interlagos.[2]

From mid-season, the car steadily improved, with revised aerodynamics and an effective launch and traction control system that was implemented during the course of the season. The engine was overhauled to strengthen the block and improve reliability. A rather fortituitous double-points finish at Hockenheim was followed by an outstanding display from Fisichella to take third place at Spa. Thereafter, the car was a consistent challenger for points, even if Button was outperformed by his team-mate all season.[3]

The team eventually finished seventh in the Constructors' Championship, with 10 points. Renault used the B201 as a test car over the close season of 2001-02, which featured a revised aerodynamic package including new wings and bargeboards and improvements to the engine.[4]

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Points WCC
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 10 7th
Giancarlo Fisichella 13 Ret 6 Ret 14 Ret Ret Ret 11 11 13 4 Ret 3 10 8 17
Jenson Button 14 11 10 12 15 Ret 7 Ret 13 16 15 5 Ret Ret Ret 9 7

References

  • Henry, Alan (ed.) (2001). AUTOCOURSE 2001-2002. Hazleton Publishing Ltd. pp. 72–74. ISBN 1-903135-06-0.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  1. "Best F1 car launches: 2001 Benetton B201 launch in Piazza San Marco, Venice". www.formula1.com. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  2. "Benetton B201". www.f1technical.net. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  3. "Driver Giancarlo Fisichella 2001 Formula One Results". www.racing-reference.info. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
  4. "B201: Benetton's last, Renault's first F1 car". www.unracedf1.com. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 11 July 2020.
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