Jordan 196

The Jordan 196 was the car with which the Jordan team competed in the 1996 Formula One season. It was driven by Rubens Barrichello, who was in his fourth season with the team, and Martin Brundle, who moved from Ligier.

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 and Hedges, which saw the cars turn gold for the 1996 season (although the car had a brighter yellow colour for the opening five races of the season).

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.

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. They would be replaced by Ralf Schumacher and Giancarlo Fisichella for 1997.

The team eventually finished fifth in the Constructors' Championship, with 22 points.