Benetton was formed from the Toleman grand prix team and as the name suggests was owned by the large Italian clothes company. In 1986, the B186 was powered by a 1.5 litre four cylinder BMW Turbocharged engine, similar to the one used to power Nelson Piquet to his 2nd Drivers World Championship in 1983 (in a Brabham).
1986 was a landmark year for the Benetton team as they scored their maiden win (by Gerhard Berger at the Mexican Grand Prix). It was also Berger's first win as well and he went on to score many more with other teams such as Ferrari and McLaren. Berger had one further win in a Benetton at the German Grand Prix in 1997, his final season before retiring from F1.
Benetton hit the big time themselves in the 1994 and 1995 seasons, winning one constructors championship plus two drivers championships thanks to the efforts of one Michael Schumacher. As of 2002 however, Benetton has been taken over by Renault, and the cars renamed.
Teo Fabi, an Italian, partnered Berger in 1986. He did not score any wins in this car (or in his Formula One career) but went on to further success in Indy car racing in the USA. However, he was an excellent qualifier in 1986 and scored 3 pole positions in this car. This model represents the B186 driven by Fabi.
Minichamps make this model as part of their F1 classics range. It has a removable rear engine cover which allows you to see the BMW Turbo engine, gearbox and rear suspension in detail. The cover itself however is made out of a thin plastic and feels fragile, plus the fit is not 100%. Consequently it is the least satisfactory part of the model. Apart from the rear cover, the rest of the model is first rate, with a realistic figure representing Fabi, cockpit detail, good looking wheels and brakes and well applied decals and paint.
It gets a well earned 8/10 marks, and is unusual in that it is one of the few Turbo era 1980's GP cars made to date.
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