Benetton B201


The Benetton B201 was the car with which the Benetton team competed in the 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. Mark Webber served as test driver. The car had an extravagant launch in Venice during February 2001.
For the Benetton team, 2001 marked the end of an era. The team, which had existed since, had been sold to engine suppliers Renault in 2000, and 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 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.
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.
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.

Complete Formula One results

YearEntrantEngineTyresDrivers1234567891011121314151617PointsWCC
Mild Seven Benetton RenaultRenault V10AUSMALBRASMRESPAUTMONCANEURFRAGBRGERHUNBELITAUSAJPN107th
Mild Seven Benetton RenaultRenault V10Giancarlo Fisichella13Ret6Ret14RetRetRet1111134Ret310817107th
Mild Seven Benetton RenaultRenault V10Jenson Button1411101215Ret7Ret1316155RetRetRet97107th