In 1987 Benetton effectively became the Ford works team in F1 as they had exclusive use of the 120°, turbochargedFordTECV6 engine (internally known as the Cosworth GBA) for 1987, rated at approximately 900 bhp (671 kW; 912 PS).
The B187 was the last of a line of turbo cars produced by Benetton and its predecessor Toleman, dating back to when the latter debuted in F1 in 1981 with the Hart-powered TG181. For 1988, the B187 was replaced by the B188, which was powered by the naturally aspiratedFord DFRV8 engine.
Competition and engine development history
Driven by BelgianThierry Boutsen and ItalianTeo Fabi, the team and the B187 got off to a good start with Boutsen finishing 5th at the season opening Brazilian Grand Prix, but after that the high boost the team ran in order to keep up with their competition saw the reliability of the TEC engine become suspect. However, by running less turbo boost (which hampered speed but also saw the reliability woes go down), by mid-season both Fabi and Boutsen were regularly challenging the top 4 teams of McLaren, Williams, Lotus and Ferrari for podium finishes. Boutsen led the Mexican Grand Prix (the race the team had won in 1986) before being forced to retire.
Boutsen finished eighth in the Drivers' Championship with 16 points while Fabi, in his last year in F1, finished ninth with 12 points. With a total of 28 points, Benetton finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship.
Aftermath
In 1989, Jackie Stewart drove the B187 as part of a show where he drove a number of race cars, including several Formula One machines. He declared it to be one of the better cars he drove.[3]
