The 1996 Minardi M195B: Fighting Spirit in a Season of Survival

In the grand spectacle of Formula 1, the spotlight often shines brightest on the champions. But the heart of the sport also lies with the smaller teams—those that race not for glory, but for survival and pride. One such team was Minardi, and their 1996 challenger, the Minardi M195B, perfectly embodied their underdog spirit.

Evolution of the M195

The M195B was not an all-new car. As the name suggests, it was an evolution of the previous year’s M195, revised to meet the new 1996 regulations. Designed by Aldo Costa and Gabriele Tredozi, the M195B retained much of its predecessor’s structure but featured aerodynamic tweaks, updated suspension, and safety enhancements in line with the FIA’s latest rules.

The chassis was a carbon fibre monocoque, standard for the time, but Minardi’s engineering budget meant they were often a step behind in the rapid development race that defined mid-90s F1.