Okay, so today I wanted to mess around with something I’ve been curious about for a while – the 1986 Benetton B186 F1 car. Specifically, the one with the BMW engine. That thing was a beast! I remember watching races as a kid and just being blown away by the power of those turbo engines.

First, I spent some time digging around to get some information about the car. Turns out, this was the first car built by Benetton after they bought the Toleman team. And that BMW engine? In qualifying trim, it could reportedly make up to 1,500 horsepower! That’s just insane.
So, armed with this basic knowledge, I started looking into how I could experience this car for myself. Obviously, I’m not getting my hands on a real one, so I started searching for simulators.
After a bit of hunting, I found a decent model of the B186 in a simulator. I downloaded it, booted up the sim, and got ready for a wild ride.
Getting Started
Getting the car to run was a bit of a struggle, it’s a digital recreation of an old race car after all. The power delivery was crazy, and I spun out more times than I could count. But I was determined to get the hang of it.
I started off slow, just trying to get a feel for the car’s handling. It was incredibly sensitive, and the slightest mistake would send me into the barriers. But slowly, I started to get a handle on it. I practiced my throttle control, learned how to manage the turbo lag, and started pushing the car a little harder each lap.

The Power!
Once I got the hang of the basics, I started to really push the car to its limits. The acceleration was absolutely brutal. I could feel the power kicking in, pushing me back into my seat. It was exhilarating! I also tried to run several laps to get a feeling of the car.
- First Lap: I spun out. Classic.
- Second Lap: Still getting a feel for the car, managed to stay on track.
- Third Lap: Pushed a little harder, felt the rear end start to slide but caught it. That was a rush!
- Fourth Lap: Started to get a consistent rhythm, felt like I was really starting to understand the car.
- Fifth Lap: Nailed it! Smooth lap, great speed, felt like a real racing driver! I guess.
It was awesome to experience even a simulated version of what Gerhard Berger and Teo Fabi must have felt back in 1986. That Mexican Grand Prix win by Berger must have been something special. Especially since I learned that it was an important day for both him and Benetton.
It was a fun little project, and it definitely gave me a new appreciation for those old F1 cars and the drivers who had the guts to tame them.