Benetton B201

Jenson Button driving a B201 at the2001 French Grand Prix
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Benetton
Designers	Pat Symonds (Executive Engineer) Mike Gascoyne (Technical Director) Tim Densham (Chief Designer) Ben Agathangelou (Head of Aerodynamics) Jean Jacques His (Engine Technical Director)
Predecessor	B200
Successor	Renault R202
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon-fibremonocoque
Suspension (front)	double wishbone, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	double wishbone, pushrod
Engine	Renault RS21V10 (111°)naturally aspiratedmid-engine
Transmission	Benetton 6-speed longitudinal semi-automatic sequential
Power	780 hp @ 17,400 rpm
Weight	600 kilograms (1,300 lb)
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Michelin
Competition history
Notable entrants	Mild SevenBenettonRenault
Notable drivers	7.Giancarlo Fisichella 8.Jenson Button
Debut	2001 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	2001 Japanese Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 17 0 1 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

TheBenetton B201 was the car with which theBenetton team competed in the2001 Formula One World Championship; it was the last car constructed and raced by Benetton. It was driven by ItalianGiancarlo Fisichella, who was in his fourth year with the team, and BritonJenson Button, who moved fromWilliams after his début season in2000. AustralianMark Webber served as test driver whilst racing in F3000.^[1]

Parts for the B201 began testing early using a modifiedB200, known as the B200B. This car was tested up until late January, with both Button and Fisichella working on the RS21 engine and electronic systems for the new car.^[2]

On February 2, Fisichella completed the first shakedown of the new B201 before a private press launch. Days later, the car was officially launched in an extravagant ceremony inPiazza San Marco,Venice. The event was said to cost around $500,000.^[3]

In early interviews, the team were very satisfied with the development of the newRenault RS21 engine. It was an unusually wide angled 112° configuration which allowed a lower centre of gravity and was notably lighter than previous engines used by Benetton fromSupertec. However, due to reliability issues during the season it was strengthened significantly which added to the vehicle weight.^[4] The team had hiredMike Gascoyne from Jordan Grand Prix during 2000, and in January 2001 also brought over Gascoyne's former Jordan colleague,Mark Smith.^[5][6]

For 2001, Benetton were one of the teams that switched fromBridgestone to the new alternative manufacturerMichelin.^[7]

The B201 did not impress in testing, a schedule that included the drivers embarking on 9 days atEstoril Circuit.^[8][9] During the season, Renault chiefJean-Jacques His [fr] claimed that the team's 2001 designs were 'hacked' the season prior, and a huge redesign was the reason for their lack of pace.^[10]

In season testing was extensive, as they got to grips with the aerodynamic and engine challenges.^[11] A major update to the B201 at the midpoint of 2001 allowed a significant improvement for the second half of the year.^[4]

The season started poorly for the B201. Fisichella qualified 17th atAlbert Park, after losing time due to reliability issues. He later described the B201 as undriveable.^[12] In the race, both cars were lapped by the field and Button retired late due an exhaust problem.^[13] At the second round inMalaysia, the car was still struggling throughout practice and qualifying.^[14][15] In the race, only Button finished - in 11th - which marked the team's best result.^[16] The B201 finally scored a point atBrazil, when Fisichella finished in sixth place.^[17]

As the season moved into Europe, reliability issues continued to hamper the B201's performance. Fisichella would retire inSan Marino andMonaco, whilst neither car finished theAustrian Grand Prix. Button nearly scored points in Monaco, where the team had shown pace throughout the weekend, but would finish seventh.^[18][19]

After a double retirement inCanada, the team returned to theEuropean Grand Prix with confidence in a newlaunch control system to be used for the first time on the B201.^[20] Whilst some improvements were noted during practice, both cars finished outside the top 10.^[21][22] Further developments were added to the B201 ahead of the next race in France, although results did not notably improve until theGerman Grand Prix. For the first time, both cars finished in the points with Fisichella in fourth, and Button fifth.^[23] However, after this success, both cars would retire from the next race and Button from the following two.^[17]

The B201's best finish would come inBelgium, with Fisichella finishing third in a chaotic race that was red flagged in the opening laps, before being restarted.^[24]

No further points were added to the team total after this race, and the B201 scored a total of 10 points with Benetton finishing the season in seventh place in the Constructors Championship.^[25] Overall, the team vastly improved the results in the second half of the season in contrast to the previous 1998–2000 seasons.

in the 6/2001Autozeitung they found the Benetton B201 had a performance of:

The livery was similar to the previous season with subtle changes on the dark blue graphics. Many of the sponsors from 2000 were retained including D2 (in place withVodafone), Marconi andKorean Air.PlayStation 2 joined as one of the team's major sponsors.

Benetton used theMild Seven logos, except at the French, British and United States Grand Prix, where they were replaced with their driver names or "Benetton".

At theUnited States Grand Prix, an American flag was featured on the side of the car, in response to theSeptember 11 attacks.

Following the conclusion of the season,Renault, who were due to formally become the replacement for Benetton in the World Championship, utilised the B201 for a number of pre-season tests. These took place throughout late 2001 and early 2002 withJenson Button,Jarno Trulli andFernando Alonso driving. The cars were temporarily repainted in yellow and white with black details (based on Renault's famous livery from the late 1970s and early 1980s). The cars were used to test various engine, aerodynamic and electronic improvements.^[26]

(key) (results inbold 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 SevenBenettonRenault	RenaultV10	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
Sources:[27][28]

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