Benetton B193
Benetton B193B
Michael Schumacher at the 1993 British Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorBenetton Formula Ltd.
Designer(s)Ross Brawn (Technical Director)
Rory Byrne (Chief Designer)
Pat Symonds (Head of R&D)
Willem Toet (Head of Aerodynamics)
Geoff Goddard (Chief Engine Designer) (Ford-Cosworth)
PredecessorB192
SuccessorB194
Technical specifications[1][2]
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
Axle trackFront: 1,690 mm (67 in)
Rear: 1,618 mm (63.7 in)
Wheelbase2,880 mm (113 in)
EngineFord HBA7 / HBA8, 3,498 cc (213.5 cu in), 75° V8, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionBenetton transverse 6-speed semi-automatic
Power700–730 hp (522–544 kW; 710–740 PS) @ 13,200 rpm[3]
Weight505 kg (1,113 lb)
FuelElf
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsCamel Benetton Ford
Notable drivers5. Germany Michael Schumacher
6. Italy Riccardo Patrese
Debut1993 South African Grand Prix
First win1993 Portuguese Grand Prix
Last win1993 Portuguese Grand Prix
Last event1993 Australian Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
1611105
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Benetton B193 is a Formula One racing car with which the Benetton team competed in the 1993 Formula One World Championship. Designed by Ross Brawn and Rory Byrne, the car was powered by the latest Cosworth HBA engine in an initially-exclusive deal with Ford, and ran on Goodyear tyres. It was driven by German Michael Schumacher and veteran Italian Riccardo Patrese.

Overview

The car was distinguishable from its predecessor due to its track being 15 cm (5.9 in) narrower per the regulations of 1993, and the addition of bargeboards at the European Grand Prix. It also had sidepods with a less pronounced cut-in for the radiator ducts. The nose height was raised from that of the B192, as well as having a longer and flatter rear 'deck' to allow for smoother airflow over the rear suspension than the B192.

The standard rear-wing endplate profile was also changed, featuring a straight leading edge rather than the curved design of the B192. Later in the season, this would further change with the addition of the 'forward wing'; an additional cantilevered wing used on high-downforce tracks, mounted forward and above the main plane, attached via endplate extensions. The leading edge of the front wing now also followed a straight profile, rather than curving forward towards the endplates. The leading edge of the nose also followed a smoother curved profile, whereas the B192 was flatter at its tip.

In terms of performance, it was an improvement on the 1992 competitor.

Thanks to the more powerful engine, Michael Schumacher was able to consistently challenge the McLarens and on occasion challenged the seemingly unbeatable Williams FW15C.

It is arguable that it was overall the second most competitive car on the grid, behind the Williams, with Schumacher regularly scoring podiums and out-qualifying the single-lap ace Ayrton Senna in 8 of the 16 races of the season. Having access to the most potent factory engine in contrast to McLaren having to make do with older-specification units gave Benetton a power advantage, (although Williams used a far superior Renault V10), however, the McLaren had the edge at some races, in particular in wet conditions due in part to their use of traction control. Due to McLaren's early-season results (achieved in part against the B193A run in South Africa and Brazil) McLaren were able successfully lobby Ford to provide engines of equal-spec to Benetton from Silverstone onward, with both running the Series VIII of the HB V8, where previously Benetton's exclusive deal had seen McLaren using the Series VII which Benetton also ran in the B192/B193A.

The car was very advanced in the technological sense and featured active suspension, semi-automatic transmission, and traction control, from the Monaco Grand Prix onwards, although Riccardo Patrese did later say that the car was a step down in quality compared to the much more sophisticated Williams cars he had been driving for the previous five years.

A variant of this car, the B193C was used as a test mule for an innovative four-wheel steering system and was tested by Schumacher and Patrese at Estoril. Four-wheel steering had been introduced on some of Nissan and Toyota's production cars. Patrese both found the system to not add anything to the performance of the car and actually slowed the car through slower corners; however Schumacher preferred[4] the system as estimated a gain 3 tenths of a second per lap. The system was built onto Schumacher's race car for Japan and Australia, but he failed to complete either race (this wasn't the fault of the 4WS system, but rather because of an accident and engine failure, respectively). The system would only have been legal for those 2 races; advanced technologies to aid drivers were banned for the 1994 season.[5]

It was the last car to feature cigarette brand Camel as the team's main sponsor, before the long term sponsorship of an Enstone-based team with Mild Seven cigarettes.

Benetton eventually finished 3rd in the Constructors' Championship just behind McLaren but with a substantial gap to Williams. The B193B was replaced for the 1994 season by the Benetton B194.

A Benetton B193 at the 2021 British Grand Prix

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant Chassis Engine Tyres Driver 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Pts. WCC
1993 Camel Benetton Ford Ford HBA7 / HBA8
V8		 G RSA BRA EUR SMR ESP MON CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN AUS 72 3rd
B193A Michael Schumacher Ret 3
B193B Ret 3 3 Ret 2 3 2 2 Ret 2 Ret 1 Ret Ret
B193A Riccardo Patrese Ret Ret
B193B 5 Ret 4 Ret Ret 10 3 5 2 6 5 16 Ret 8

References

  1. ↑ "STATS F1 • Benetton B193". Statsf1.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  2. ↑ "STATS F1 • Benetton B193B". Statsf1.com. Retrieved 2010-08-23.
  3. ↑ "Natural Aspirations". 25 June 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2023.
  4. ↑ "Lunch with... Pat Symonds". Motor Sport. September 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
  5. ↑ "Banned! Four wheel steering". F1 Fanatic. 22 March 2007. Retrieved 18 April 2016.
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