Benetton: Rebels of Formula 1 by Damien Smith

Foreword by Pat Symonds

Unconventional, flamboyant, ground-breaking, colourful, controversial — the Benetton Formula 1 team was all of those things. Defying perceptions as the rebels of Formula 1, Benetton achieved great success, particularly in the two glorious seasons of 1994 and 1995 when the team swept aside the big names — Williams, McLaren and Ferrari — to claim back-to-back World Championship titles for up-and-coming Michael Schumacher. This book tells the entire 1986–2001 history of the Benetton team for the first time with insightful contributions from many of the key participants, including Flavio Briatore, Alessandro Benetton, Pat Symonds and Rory Byrne. With a lavish array of images accompanying the authoritative text, this is a book that will delight all Formula 1 enthusiasts.

Hardbound | 344 pages | 278 photographs

About the Author:

There have been plenty of books over the years about the big teams in Formula 1 history such as Ferrari, McLaren and Williams, but Benetton has been somewhat overlooked, especially as it won two world titles with Michael Schumacher in 1994 and 1995. Damien Smith, first-time book author but hugely experienced journalist and magazine editor, set out to put that right.

Describing the task as his “toughest challenge”, one that in the end took him three years rather than the expected nine months, Damien undertook copious research and interviewed many of Benetton’s leading lights. Pat Symonds, long-time engineer and technical director, provided the initial framework, then other interviewees included Flavio Briatore, Martin Brundle, Jenson Button, Rory Byrne, Johnny Herbert and Alessandro Benetton.

Shortly before submitting his manuscript, Damien made a final breakthrough when Alessandro Benetton, son of company co-founder Luciano, came on board. On a two-day trip to Treviso in Italy, Damien visited Benetton’s amazing HQ and archive, then spent time with Alessandro, who was keen to “claim back” the Benetton F1 story on behalf of his father Luciano, co-founder of the company and instigator of the team. The interview formed a fitting epilogue to the book.