The Jordan 196 was the car with which the Jordan team competed in the 1996 Formula One World Championship. It was driven by Brazilian Rubens Barrichello, who was in his fourth and final season with the team, and veteran Briton Martin Brundle, who moved from Ligier for what was to be his last season in F1.

Jordan 196
The 196 on display at Technik Museum Sinsheim
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorJordan
Designer(s)Gary Anderson (Technical Director)
Tim Holloway (Engineering Director)
Mark Smith (Chief Engineer)
Darren Davies (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor195
Successor197
Technical specifications[1]
ChassisCarbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)Double wishbones, pushrod
Axle trackFront: 1,700 mm (67 in)
Rear: 1,618 mm (63.7 in)
Wheelbase2,950 mm (116 in)
EnginePeugeot A12, 3,000 cc (183.1 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
TransmissionJordan 7-speed semi-automatic
Power720 hp @ 15,500 rpm[2]
Weight595 kg (1,312 lb)
FuelTotal
TyresGoodyear
Competition history
Notable entrantsB&H Total Jordan Peugeot
Notable drivers11. Brazil Rubens Barrichello
12. United Kingdom Martin Brundle
Debut1996 Australian Grand Prix
Last event1996 Japanese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPodiumsPolesF/Laps
160000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

Racing history

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Jordan started the year with high expectations following a generally encouraging, if unreliable, showing in 1995. The team was in its second year with works Peugeot engines, and had also secured a lucrative sponsorship deal with Benson & Hedges that saw the cars turn gold for the majority of the 1996 season, having been launched in a pre-B&H green-yellow-red livery and raced for the first five races in a mustard shade that failed to impress on TV.

 
Early in the season, the car featured a brighter yellow color

However, the team still proved unable to score the elusive first win. Indeed, 1996 was a barren season with no podium finishes from either driver, although the team did score one more point than in 1995. Jordan remained a 'Second Division' team behind Williams, Ferrari, Benetton and McLaren. Brundle later, albeit in a jocular fashion, referred to the 196 as "a dog" which had "more grip upside down", referring to an accident on the opening lap of the 1996 Australian Grand Prix where Brundle rolled the car.[3]

By the end of the year, the need for change was obvious. Barrichello departed for the new Stewart team, and Brundle retired from the sport becoming a television co-commentator alongside Murray Walker for ITV F1 for the 1997 season. They would be replaced by Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella for 1997.

The team eventually finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, with 22 points.

Sponsorship and livery

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The 196 features a new gold livery (brighter yellow in the early season), reflecting with their new title sponsor, Benson & Hedges. In the Grands Prix that did not allow tobacco branding, the Benson & Hedges logos were replaced with driver names on the engine cover and either "Jordan" or "Special F1" on the side of the car.

Complete Formula One results

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(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year Team Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Points WCC
1996 B&H Total Jordan Peugeot Peugeot V10 G AUS BRA ARG EUR SMR MON ESP CAN FRA GBR GER HUN BEL ITA POR JPN 22 5th
Rubens Barrichello Ret Ret 4 5 5 Ret Ret Ret 9 4 6 6 Ret 5 Ret 9
Martin Brundle Ret 12 Ret 6 Ret Ret Ret 6 8 6 10 Ret Ret 4 9 5

References

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  1. ^ "Jordan 196". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  2. ^ "Engine Peugeot". www.statsf1.com. Retrieved 18 November 2020.
  3. ^ Spanish Grand Prix Forum, BBC Television, 2009 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jht8DVGUtUk