1996 F1 Season May 2026

The 1996 F1 season was the 47th season of FIA Formula One racing. It was a year of significant change, marked by the departure of double World Champion Michael Schumacher from Benetton to the struggling Ferrari team, and the emergence of a dominant new force: the Williams-Renault partnership with rookie sensation Jacques Villeneuve.

The 1995 CART champion and Indy 500 winner, Jacques Villeneuve (son of legendary Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve), joined Williams. He adapted instantly, taking pole position in his first race and winning his fourth career start at the European Grand Prix. He pushed Hill hard all year, winning 4 races and finishing 2nd in the championship. 1996 f1 season

Michael Schumacher moved to a Ferrari team that had not won a title since 1979. The F310 was a difficult, unreliable car. Schumacher managed just 3 podium finishes (including a famous win in a torrential Spanish Grand Prix) and finished 3rd in the standings, far behind the Williams duo. The 1996 F1 season was the 47th season

Damon Hill (Williams-Renault) Constructors' Champion: Williams-Renault Number of races: 16 The Key Storylines 1. Williams' Total Dominance The Williams FW18 was the class of the field. Designed by Adrian Newey, it was exceptionally reliable, aerodynamically efficient, and powered by the mighty Renault V10. Williams won 12 out of 16 races and secured their fourth Constructors' Championship in five years. He adapted instantly, taking pole position in his