S13 E6: Why Benetton's post-Schumacher era was so rough

S13 E6: Why Benetton's post-Schumacher era was so rough

From Bring Back V10s - Classic F1 stories by The Race Media Ltd

May 28, 2026 · 1h 15m · Season 13 · Episode 6

About this episode

The episode explores Benetton's challenges and decline after Michael Schumacher's departure in 1996.

Bring Back V10s tackles one of F1's roughest title wins hangovers in episode 6 of season 13, with a look back at the sudden downturn in fortunes for one of the 1990s' elite teams. Benetton was on top of the world at the end of 1995, having clinched the constructors’ crown and back-to-back drivers’ world titles with Michael Schumacher. But with Schumacher departing for Ferrari in 1996, the team had a new challenge to prove its success wasn’t just about the driver - and it didn't go very well... Joining Glenn Freeman for a look back at Benetton’s turbulent post-Schumacher period are Matt Beer and Ben Anderson. They discuss the logic behind choosing Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger to lead Benetton's new era, how quickly things got fractious behind the scenes and whether this decline was always inevitable no matter who Benetton picked for its life after Schumacher. Get bonus F1 podcasts, extra content and ad-free listening, sign-up to The Race Members' Club on Patreon today . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People in this episode

Host: Glenn Freeman

Guests: Matt Beer, Ben Anderson

Topics covered

  • Benetton
  • F1 history
  • post-Schumacher era
  • team dynamics
  • 1990s F1

Keywords

  • Benetton
  • Michael Schumacher
  • F1
  • Jean Alesi
  • Gerhard Berger
  • 1990s
  • constructors' championship

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Benetton, Ferrari

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