Benetton B194

Benetton B194

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Benetton
Team/s	Mild Seven Benetton Ford
Designer	Rory Byrne
Drivers	5. Michael Schumacher J.J. Lehto 6. Jos Verstappen J.J. Lehto Johnny Herbert
Chassis	carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	double carbon wishbones, pushrod, triple damper
Suspension (rear)	double wishbones, pushrod, double damper
Engine	Ford (Zetec-R), 75-degree V8
Gearbox	Benetton six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Fuel	Elf
Tyres	Goodyear
Debut	1994 Brazilian Grand Prix
Races competed	16
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	1 (1994, Michael Schumacher)
Race victories	8
Pole positions	6
Fastest laps	8

The Benetton B194 was designed by Rory Byrne for the 1994 F1 season. The car was closely based on the previous Benetton B192/3 and powered by a Ford Zetec-RV8 engine (produced by Cosworth but badged as a Ford). The electronic driver aids that had had such an effect on F1 over the previous seasons were banned, so the car had to be redesigned with the new rules in mind. The B194 was a light and nimble car that handled well and was most competitive on twisty tracks.

Jos Verstappen driving the B194.

The B194 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

The car was very competitive in the hands of Michael Schumacher, for which the B194 was specifically designed to suit his driving style. Schumacher won six of the first seven races of the season after his main rival, Ayrton Senna was tragically killed at the San Marino Grand Prix. Other teams suspected the B194 was not legal, due to the high competitiveness of such a comparatively underpowered car. The FIA launched an investigation and indeed banned software was discovered in the cars' onboard computer systems, but the governing body could not prove the systems had been used so the complaints were dropped. Schumacher himself was subject to controversy, after being disqualified from the British Grand Prix and then the Belgian Grand Prix which allowed Damon Hill to cut into the German's points lead and as they came to the final race in Australia, Hill and Schumacher were separated by one point.

A contentious collision between the two drivers ended the 1994 drivers' title in Schumacher's favour, and the B194 was retired at the end of the season with eight wins and second place in the constructors' championship. The car was replaced by the Benetton B195 for 1995.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Chassis	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	Points	WCC
1994	Benetton	Ford V8	G		BRA	PAC	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	POR	EUR	JPN	AUS	103	2nd
				Michael Schumacher	1	1	1	1	2	1	1	DSQ	Ret	1	DSQ	EX	EX	1	2	Ret
				Jos Verstappen	Ret	Ret					Ret	8	Ret	3	3	Ret	5	Ret
				J.J. Lehto			Ret	7	Ret	6						9	Ret
				Johnny Herbert															Ret	Ret