Benetton B196

The Benetton B196 was a Formula One racing car with which Benetton competed in the 1996 season, driven by Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger, who replaced Michael Schumacher and Johnny Herbert. A direct development of the B195, it proved hard to drive for its new drivers because it had been designed around Schumacher's style. Benetton failed to win a race for the first time since 1988, although Alesi led in Monaco until a suspension failure and Berger led in Germany until his engine failed three laps from the end. The team lost second place in the constructors' standings to Ferrari at the final race in Japan. It was the first Benetton to race under Italian nationality.