F1 1996 Fix Instant

The season consisted of , starting in Australia and concluding in Japan. World Champion Damon Hill Williams-Renault Runner-Up Jacques Villeneuve Williams-Renault 3rd Place Michael Schumacher 4th Place Jean Alesi Benetton-Renault

This era was defined by a changing of the guard, as moved to Ferrari for a new challenge, and rookie Jacques Villeneuve made a sensational debut. Season Overview: Williams Dominance f1 1996

The Williams-Renault team dominated the year with their chassis, which "obliterated the rest of the field" by securing 12 pole positions and 13 victories. Drivers' Champion: Damon Hill (97 points). Runner-Up: Jacques Villeneuve (78 points). Constructors' Champion: Williams-Renault (175 points). Key Driver Moves and Debuts The season consisted of , starting in Australia

With Schumacher's departure, Benetton recruited Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger from Ferrari. 1996 Race Winners and Highlights Grand Prix Australian Damon Hill Season opener in Melbourne Olivier Panis A chaotic race where only three cars finished Michael Schumacher Schumacher's first win for Ferrari in torrential rain Portuguese Jacques Villeneuve Villeneuve kept the title race alive until the finale Damon Hill Hill clinched the title as Villeneuve retired Rule Changes and Innovations Drivers' Champion: Damon Hill (97 points)

What makes 1996 nostalgic to watch today is the diversity of the grid. This was the last season before the "wide cars" of 1998 and the rise of pure aero-dependence. The racing was often raw. We saw the brilliance of Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger at Benetton—two old lions past their prime but capable of magic on their day (Monza 1996 remains a classic upset).