1996 F1 Season

The 1996 Formula One World Championship was the 50th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1996 Formula One World Championship for Drivers and the 1996 Formula One World Championship for Constructors, contested over 16 races, beginning in Australia on 10 March and concluding in Japan on 13 October.

The season was notable for the dominance of the Williams team, with Damon Hill winning the Drivers’ Championship. This was Hill’s first and only World Championship title, achieved after a season-long battle with his Williams teammate, Jacques Villeneuve, who finished second in the championship in his debut season. Hill’s championship victory was a testament to his skill and consistency throughout the season.

The 1996 season also saw Michael Schumacher move to Ferrari, beginning a long-term association that would later result in multiple championships. Schumacher’s move to Ferrari was part of a broader shift in the driver market, with several teams undergoing significant changes in their driver lineups.