Formula One: Benetton first to publicly unveil 2000 car
18 January 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
INDIANAPOLIS-- Benetton became the first Formula One team to officially unveil the car it will use in the 2000 season, which includes the inaugural United States Grand Prix at Indianapolis on Sept. 24. The Mild Seven Benetton-Playlife B200 was shown at the Nacional dArt de Catalunya in Barcelona on Jan. 17.
We are starting this season determined to put the difficult times of the past few years behind us, said chief executive Rocco Benetton. Last season was a tough one for everyone in the team, and we were disappointed in our performance. When I took charge a year ago, it was immediately apparent that major changes were required in the teams structure.
We have taken on new staff on the technical side, and Tim Densham joined us as chief designer early enough last year to play a strong role in the design of the new car. Both Tim and his predecessor (Nick Wirth) worked together to ensure a smooth transition. Tim brought a new energy and sense of direction to the team, which is guided by technical director Pat Symonds.
Italys Giancarlo Fisichella and Austrias Alexander Wurz return to the team for a third season.
We have two of the best drivers in Formula One, Benetton said. They are good team players and are very focused on their task.
While several teams have already tested their 2000 models, Benetton was the first to publicly debut its car.
The B200 has been designed to use proven technology and methodologies with the aim of being consistently fast and reliable, Symonds said. 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. Benetton uses a Supertec V10, rebadged Playlife, which is based on the Renault V10.
The team also announced that it had signed Japans Hidetoshi Mitsusada, 29, as its test driver. A veteran of the Japanese Formula 3000/Formula Nippon series, Mitsusada will contest the FIA European Formula 3000 championship this season.
I am very excited at the prospect of driving for the Benetton Formula One team, Mitsusada said. Combined with my racing program, it will allow me to gain valuable experience of competing at the highest level on European tracks with the ultimate goal of racing in Formula One.
Benetton also announced that it has signed major multimillion-dollar partnership deals with Marconi and MTCI. Marconi will provide the team with a leading-edge communications and online information network. MTCI is an Internet provider service based in Japan.
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