- Display model true to the Benetton B195
- Benetton’s best season in Formula 1
- In the colours of Michael Schumacher, 1995 World Champion
- No reserve
For Benetton, the start of the 1990s was a time of increasing power. Flavio Briatore gradually brought together a true ‘dream team’ after securing the sponsorship funding to give him the means to match his ambitions. In 1991, he hired Michael Schumacher, who had just started out in F1 with Jordan, followed by Rory Byrne, a brilliant aerodynamicist, and Ross Brawn, who joined from Tom Walkinshaw Racing. In 1991, Benetton finished fourth in the World Championship, then third in 1992 and 1993, and in 1994, Schumacher was crowned World Champion, Benetton finishing second in the Constructors’ Championship. In 1995, it reaped the ultimate reward. Benetton took advantage of the change in regulations reducing the engine capacity allowed from 3.5 to 3 litres to give up the Ford Cosworth V8 in favour of the Renault V10. Installed in the new B195, it worked wonders, and Schumacher notched up nine victories, with another two for his team-mate Johnny Herbert. The German driver was crowned World Champion, and for the first time, Benetton claimed the Constructors’ title.
It was to evoke this magnificent season that this show car – a display model of the B195 – came about. The bodyshell was built in this context, and the car has no mechanical components other than those that can be seen. Its cockpit is equipped with a bucket seat and steering wheel, and the bodywork, bearing Schumacher’s name and his racing number 1, is finished in the blue, yellow and white colours of the period. In excellent condition, this superb show car is a reminder of Benetton’s greatest season and the tremendous success enjoyed by Renault’s engines.
Crédit photos © Peter Singhof