Benetton Launches B200.

Benetton today unveiled its year 2000 challenger in the unlikely surroundings of Barcelona's Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya.


The all-new B200 was revealed to the waiting media and guests from underneath a statue of itself, as Benetton once again went for one of the most ambitious and visually different launches of the year.


The team, which struggled throughout 1999 with a difficult car and had done no testing since the end of the season in order to concentrate on the new machine, is determined to turn things around in 2000, and hopes that the appointment of new personnel will hold the key to success.


"We are starting the season determined to put the difficult times of the past few years behind us," said chief executive Rocco Benetton, "1999 was a tough season, and everyone in the team was very disappointed with our performance. Benetton is a team with top technological capability, but we did not deliver the results we had targeted. When I took charge a year ago, it was immediately apparent that major changes to the team structure were required and, as I personally have learned more about the sport, these have been implemented over the past twelve months.


"We have taken on new staff on the technical side, and Tim [Densham] joined us early enough last year to play a strong role in the design of the new car. Both Tim and his predecessor worked together for several months to ensure a smooth transition, and he has brought us a new energy and sense of direction."


Benetton went on to announce that several of the team's main sponsors had been re-signed for 2000, with Japan Tobacco and the Benetton Group being joined by D2, Korean Air, Agip and Bridgestone in staying with the team. New signings Marconi and MTCI had subsequently joined Benetton's portfolio over the close season.


A retained driving strength of Giancarlo Fisichella and Alex Wurz will be joined by Japanese tester Hidetoshi Mitsusada for 2000, a combination which Benetton feels has the talent to bring success to the team next season.


"We have two of the best drivers in Formula One," he said, "They are good team players and are very focused on their task. I'm sure they'll be fantastic this season and deliver the results we expect of both of them."


The new car, meanwhile, has returned to basics after the disappointing results gained by last season's technology laden B199. According to technical director Pat Symonds, improvements have been made to almost every aspect of the chassis.


"The B200 has been designed to use proven technology and methodologies with the aim of being consistently fast and reliable," Symonds revealed, "We have made improvements with the weight and conducted considerable research into aerodynamics and suspension geometry. On the engine side, we have worked closely with Supertec to produce a Playlife engine tailor-made for the car."