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
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Benetton
Designer(s)	Pat Symonds (Technical Director) Tim Densham (Chief Designer) Ben Agathangelou (Head of Aerodynamics)
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
Power	780 hp @ 17,400 rpm
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	Mild Seven Benetton Renault
Notable drivers	7. Giancarlo Fisichella 8. Jenson Button
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles F.Laps 17 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

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.

External links