Jordan 196

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
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Jordan
Designer(s)	Gary Anderson (Technical Director) Tim Holloway (Engineering Director) Mark Smith (Chief Engineer) Darren Davies (Head of Aerodynamics)
Predecessor	195
Successor	197
Technical specifications[1]
Chassis	Carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	Double wishbones, pushrod
Axle track	Front: 1,700 mm (67 in) Rear: 1,618 mm (63.7 in)
Wheelbase	2,950 mm (116 in)
Engine	Peugeot A12, 3,000 cc (183.1 cu in), 72° V10, NA, mid-engine, longitudinally-mounted
Transmission	Jordan 7-speed semi-automatic
Power	720 hp @ 15,500 rpm[2]
Weight	595 kg (1,312 lb)
Fuel	Total
Tyres	Goodyear
Competition history
Notable entrants	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot
Notable drivers	11. Rubens Barrichello 12. Martin Brundle
Debut	1996 Australian Grand Prix
Last event	1996 Japanese Grand Prix
Races Wins Podiums Poles F/Laps 16 0 0 0 0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0

Racing history

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

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

(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

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

• Henry, Alan, ed. (1996). AUTOCOURSE 1996-97. Hazleton Publishing. pp. 73–75. ISBN 1-874557-91-8.