1997 Benetton F1 At Road America

[zVlPERz]

thats so awesome, i wanna go there soon with my s2000

[ynnckynnck]

Did you win this? or did you pay for it or something?

Driving an f1 car is my dream!

Nice driving btw ^^

[mrjurun]

Very nice lines, you show a great deal of composure especially for a young man. Congrats on getting to drive such a wonderfull car, I truly enjoy that you say it "only" revs to 10400, most people have never seen a car go past 6000. Forget the rude people they are just jealous of excersizing a dream. As a fellow race car driver I applaud your respecting the car. Good luck and stay safe.

[FrowningIke]

I've seen you in that car. In fact it might be you in a video I have of it preparing to race. That was some very nice driving in a precious vehicle. Totally understandable that you weren't cornering on the limit. However you can't go TOO slow in those as you need to heat up the tires and brakes.....as you well know of course.

[goklien365]

you must be 19 now, you better be racing in level like indy light, or gp3 or you going to waste your talent

[azapro911]

Great opportunity, but it must have been tempting to ask for a Renault V10 and some slick Goodyears!

[acexbox]

it's not an fp3 car?



[samothsamothsamoth]

wow, James for a 16 years old kid you´re very brave and i would do the same if i could!!!! Drive conservative, but i think that i don´t do so much fast like you, congratulations, James!

[greisty1]

Looking good, James.



[Fastbikkel]

Well it looks pretty impressive, im sure you will improve a lot. Nice job so far mate, im kinda jealous :-)

[OfficialAdamDeRocco]

Fantastic driving! Beautiful car.

[superferrariman]

How did you convince your dad to drive his car??

[blainyrules]

Great driving. Also it's nice to hear they left the original engine in, most of the time they usually take out the awesome V10 and stick in some (relatively) crap Ford V8.

[6V92TA]

@blainyrules hey now, the Cosworth ED4 V8s are good engines. The Hart V8 is the crappy one.

[blainyrules]

@6V92TA I only said relatively crap, and that's comparing it to the V10 in the vid. Then again it's more down to the car it's in than the engine itself.

[6V92TA]

@blainyrules And thats true. The ED4s had the same power as the V10s....they jus lacked the quick revs so it tended to make the car accelerate a bit slower when loaded with fuel. But once the weight came down and you kept the revs in check, the ED4s were made their cars pretty quick.

[TheFannner]

Great car, great track :) great driver ;)

[tvr614]

Great car from one of the best F1 teams and one of the most memorable F1 seasons in recent memory. Nice lap.

[dastpaul]

One of the mechanics told me the car uses an engine from an endurance racer. James, care to guess what lap times this car would be capable of with the original F1 engine?

[dastpaul]

I watched this car in 2010 and 2011 at the Kohler Historic Races. It was truly in a class by itself and was amazing to watch it just blow by everything else. Brian was driving and the few laps I timed were right around 2:00 - lots of traffic. I think James was on the track at the same time in an Atlantic. Would like to see more recent F1 cars at the event.

[TheLarry1993]

dude, whrer did you the car get from? I mean...you´re almost as old as me, and you have a chance to do some laps in a real F1 car. this is something what I´m dreamin about. yesterday I was on a carttrack but I cant post a video of it because I crashed into a barrier 4 or 5 times on the same place. my only chance to race is rFactor or maybe once in a year with 9hp carts.

I wish you very best for your future and I hope to hear your name in F1 very soon. you got the luck wich not many people have

[SuperMikedyer]

I think u did a very reasonable job of driving this car, well done hope u have a bright future in the sport, as Murray Walker once said, "those who can drive do, those who cant talk about it" well done son

[cocorocks88]

Wow, mega jealous, you did a great job too, nice and smooth, nothing to gain from pushing it, easy to go over the limit and stick it in the wall, nice one!

[xpozd2radar]

hey you're really great! i'm not a sponsor or anything but you really deserve one. I think you would be a great F1 driver.

[trezoitao38]

This circuit deserve a F1 racing. The two races happened today show that.

[ashacrasha]

I am. So jealous. This is unreal. If I were you James I could die at 16 happy.

[bilickimotorsports]

james all these fags are just jealous cuz u have the opportunity of a life time, and none of these guys never will have that chance lol

[gtvdtm]

Wel I can see that most posters are amateurs who have no idea what thy are talking about. Young fella, very well done to you for having the guts to get into the benetton and drive it around like that at 16 years old. its a beutiful machine and a real monster, intimidating enough for anyone. balls to the haters on here, they have zero experience and know nothing.

[Fuckdencio]

so how much did you paid for this test? how is the contact of who organize this? and if you want a professional experience to drive a formula, come to Brazil to run with us in Formula Future by Felipe Massa

[garethkielty]

guys come on hes not driving badly...lets be honest, the car has 800+bhp and hes driving it at road america one of the bumpiest tracks around. im giving you massive respect for just sitting in it

[lordlingcp]

is that alesi's or berger's car?

you are one lucky motherf*cker :)

[lrenzelmann]

I've been close friends with james for years, how dare you saw he is a spoiled fucjker when you have no idea how humble and nice of a guy he is. so mister straight edge xcalebxx try to stop making your own pathetic ass self feel better by cutting down everyone else. you have nothing to show that you can do anything half as good as these guys, therefore why talk shit?

[ocallaghanm]

Is that actually Alesi's old car? 

[LDOGGYDIZZLE]

Ill respond. I'd be glad to post my "driving videos", if you feel thats neccesary.

I can tell you this... I've raced w/ James many times at well over 150 MPH, door to door & through traffic. This kid knows how to drive & has won many races.

If you are indeed a driver, then you know how hard it is to market yourself & the effort it takes to move up the ladder. Then why make these negative posts? We are all young racers, we should be working together.

I'll take the $1000 bet :)

[fchysk8ter]

Be nice. I did nothing to you other than get an opportunity you did not. You wouldn't do anything differently than I did. You don't know me, and I'd rather you keep your cruel comments off of my video.

[TiredOfTheBuIlshit]

spoiled fucjker

[Jonnyplatt94]

@TiredOfTheBuIlshit or just waay more ambitious than ur lazy ass.

[pimpedvw]

Nice driving James. Don't sweat the haters ,they're just jealous and you 'll be sure to always find them commenting on Youtube.I'm sure you'll get hooked up if you haven't already. Cheers and good luck . Maybe we'll see you in the Big Leagues one of these days.

[patav2]

Shit for a 16 year old this is a good effort, btw did u have to do any sought of special preparation to drive it.

[HollywoodRoseSlash]

Well it looks like the benetton from 97 but the sound of the engine it's not the same,and the acceleration and the speed is much lower so...

[XxL4Zy80YxX]

how do you get to drive that let alone sit in it ?

[xCaLeBxx]

youre driving like a bitch

[fchysk8ter]

@xCaLeBxx just trying to keep it in one piece boss. id love to see you go faster. and not put a wheel wrong.

[xCaLeBxx]

@fchysk8ter would've made for a better video if you drove straight into the wall, burst into flames and fucking destroyed the entire car.

[6V92TA]

@fchysk8ter He'd tear the dam car up before finishing the first lap. I hate when folks talk shit on youtube thinkin they can do better. Nice drive'in dude. I love the short shifting. So how did you land an F-1 car?

[fchysk8ter]

@6V92TA Thank you my friend. To be quite honest i wasn't short shifting, except into 7 and the carousel, and the kink.. you have a point haha. As far as everywhere else goes I shifted at redline. The Judd engine only revs to about 10400rpm.

[6V92TA]

@fchysk8ter Thats a Judd engine!?!? Well that explains the low RPM sound! I like it!! Has a nice sound to it. You've been able to get more time out with the car lately?

[kallo182]

@xCaLeBxx

You think he drive like a Bitch??

So i would say upload a Video how you driveing...

So i will see whats about your Driving skills.

[xCaLeBxx]

@kallo182 upload your driving skills instead of DTM videos dumbass bitch fuck off.

[kallo182]

@xCaLeBxx

I dont need to upload any Driving Videos of me because im from Germany, and i Drive from 8 -15 Jears professionel Go-Kart races for German Championship, and i dont think that any other People drive like a Bitch.

But i bet right now 1000 $ that you never saw a real Racecar in your life...

You only a Poser Teen ; )

[xCaLeBxx]

@kallo182 the reason youre in professional karting is because you cant afford anything else, 8-15 years in karting isnt impressive,its a sport that is meant for kids to develop driving skills then move on to bigger cars.You wouldn't want to bet that $1000 you'll need it for next season lol.

[phresnel1]

@xCaLeBxx xCaLeBxx is very envious. Mr. James French is very lucky, and if we face it, every Formula 1 is very lucky, a lot of good people never get a chance to drive in F1 or a Formula 1 car. But simply put, whole life is unfair, get over it, Mr. xCaleBxx (btw, what shit nickname is that?), make the best of your life, as do those who get the chance to drive an F1 car.

[shswrestling140]

@xCaLeBxx just because you couldnt drive an f1 car at age 16 doesnt mean you can rag on james. get a life man

[xCaLeBxx]

@shswrestling140 im 8 years old and still got time to do so unlike your fat fucking lazy piece of pig shit smelling useless ass that failed at life so he has to go on youtube and tell someone to get a life to make yourself feel like you've accomplished something.

[ross656565]

@xCaLeBxx You suck at life like a bitch..... Fuck you

[xCaLeBxx]

@ross656565 thank you

[1993phillipB]

wow ..

how did you manage that you were allowed to take the dare

?

[1993phillipB]

wow ..

how did you manage that you were allowed to take the dare

?

[turtlewaxer99]

May I come hang out with you and your dad?

[icecoldbrew92]

wtf hes 16 and he gets to do this???

[Ferrariman601]

Wow. You have the coolest dad in the world!

[jdagracing]

Wow, holy understeer...

For a 16yr old with probably not a lot of experience under your belt you looked respectable. You can find a lot more time out of the car but it comes with experience.

[fchysk8ter]

its a conservative setup not intended for lap records. as for finding time, i definately could have pushed harder but it's not a risk worth taking. i don't think my dad would appreciate his beautiful car wadded up just for a few seconds in a race against myself.

[PeterMayer]

@fchysk8ter So James, what are you doing now?

[fchysk8ter]

@PeterMayer I'm currently going to school at IUPUI for motorsports engineering and then in the summer I'll be racing SCCA.

[Tommovdv]

Just one question. How the hell does a 16 year old get an F1 car?

[ProfessorIgor]

@Tommovdv Because his father Brian French owns a bunch of vinatge F1 cars is how !! And I really miss hearing his dad's Ferrari !!!

[Jonnyplatt94]

@Tommovdv his dad, I know the guy :)

[FerrariF311]

Good Job! I have been wanting to Race for years and I am a damn good driver, but I never had the chance or the money. Make the most of the opportunity you have!

Hopefully you can get into F1!

I've ended Driving tanks for the Army They stop Faster then an F1 car, but um... not so fast :P

[monaro632]

@FerrariF311

[vir123456]

How did you get a chance to drive this?

[monaro632]

From a fellow driver, good job there James, there was more lap time in the car that day but I think all you'd need is more familiarity with the car and some strength work and you'd be much quicker

[UBBERTANKER]

3.0l 780hp engine that revs to 14,500rpm in a 1000lb car, must be one helluva ride lol

[GWFires]

Just because you drive it doesnt mean that you are good. No more to say

[Nocito87]

next time you meet briatore, tell him i want one with that launch control and that fast fuel rig :)

[teamphat]

Great stuff. I always wished F1 to race on Road America, for you to do it yourself in a classic F1 car must have been amazing

[MarioAndrettiFan]

Well Done!

[craigsimons1993]

Ok I'll be the one to say it. How do we know this is you driving?

Btw if that really was you then you did well!

[fchysk8ter]

Do you really want me to upload the part of this video which shows a close up of my swampy ass getting out of the car, followed by me taking my helmet off? I sure hope not haha

[craigsimons1993]

@fchysk8ter if ya got it then maybe yh lol. I'm not trying to be horrible at all. It's just so many people upload videos on YouTube and claim its them that you cant really be sure anymore. Hope you can understanf where I am coming from! :)

[steenerweiner]

@craigsimons1993. im a friend of james' and i can vouch for him. he races in scca and is damn good at it.lol. trust me, ive seen the full version and you dont wanna see that swampiness going on there haha

[craigsimons1993]

@steenerweiner you can understand my point though? Some people do say these things sometimes even though they are lying. I am not saying your are btw!

[OdrikT800]

idk how it feels to drive a formula 1 car in real but i think you switched to early the gears.

dont kill me idk how to drive an formula 1 car. i could imagina that you dont hear the rpm so well under the helmet so maybe that was the problem.

maybe you were to much afraid of the power i mean i would be very afraid because you had 790hp under your ass :D

keep racing dude you are 16 and driving a f1 other people are still driving karts!

bye

[IS300driver26]

The kids dad is a racing fanatic and has one of the best setups I have ever seen. His dad and him race in SCCA and actually were both in the run off's this past summer. James keep up the good work you have the potential and skill to drive anything!

[ferrarifan25]

wow dude your 16? how did you get to drive this

[shayrenault]

what mod is this? awesome

[spitfire1936]

Two things. is the gearing very short or is there a 9500rpm rev limit cos it sounds like the top speed is greatly reduced. Also why is the camera at an angle?

[fchysk8ter]

if i rember right the limit is at 10,500. the top speed down the main striaight away is 193. im not sure what you are comparing it to has a much greater top speed but with the original engine im guessing it would go another 10-15mph. ha and as for the angle, that was an accident. it was our first onboard atempt with that car so thats just how it turned out.

[spitfire1936]

Are you running an original engine in a detuned form or something like a Judd GV?. I was comparing it to the RS9 engine in Berger and Alesi's car from that era. They reved to around 16,000rpm and it looked like it was lower in your footage.

[patav2]

@spitfire1936 The camera is at an angle because thats how all F1 cars on board cameras were like, so they can see the driver nd the track.

[gold333]

Hey man, how do you guys set up the tech on the car when you buy it second hand?

I.e. throttle maps, traction control, engine mapping, abs, etc? Do you get any help from benetton? From the vid the car does look like it's been limited somehow though. Ither way great job for a 16 year old. Don't you for one second forget how lucky you are. But keep practicing in something easier and cheaper for christ sake.

[siempreesquinarnr]

lier ajajaj

[PeterMayer]

my god! Nice job!

[showetime]

hmm turn 2 you could have stayed in that gear and just use alitle break and throttle and shifted up instead of down down up up like you did the car basically its like in the newer f1.. they are both the same minus the aero diference and body but the calm pace you got is good.

[showetime]

hmm looks like a peice of cake if i hopped in the wheel of that f1 , hmm mind if i take a spin in it

[nickyp28]

Im guessing you are looking into Euroboss or something?

Is there an American equivelant? Im jealous, im 15!

[AyrtonS111]

Cool video, man.

I'm pretty jealous, driving a F1 car at only 16 is surely a great experience.

Wonder what is your level in karting and other open-wheel championships.

Sure, we can say you have to attack more in curves, but we all know a 10 years-old car is not here to be driven like in a GP race. All the chassis is getting old, and a crash would be more dangerous than in 1997 (Remember the Krooymans Ferrari pic at Laguna Seca, the car broke because of "old materials").

Good job, and good luck!

[fchysk8ter]

It sounds different because the original engine was swapped out for a Judd v10 which redlines at 11,000 rpms instead of 16,000 like the original.

[Jamirofan89]

why doesn't it sound like a real 1997 Benetton?

[mickeynismocat]

Absolutely incredible! Good luck with your future hope to see your name up there soon champ!

[callum122]

Nice, you are actually driving an F1 car at 16. Is the engine the Renault V10?

[mazak6800]

Great job last weekend winning the June Sprints CSR class by over 50 seconds. You and your father are lots of fun to watch. Good Luck finding a ride.

Who's going to be driving the Benetton for the KIC since you posted a better time?

Whatever happened to the 94 Ferrari that ran out at RA a couple of years ago?

[fchysk8ter]

thanks man. my dad is driving the benetton and im driving the atlantic with a straight pipe :) he sold his 93 ferrari unfortunately.

[robertman0011]

maybe your dad will buy the 93 ferrari back, it would be great to hear that v12 engine at road america, or maybe he can get the 94 or 95 ferraris since they sounded even better

[dwtidman]

Adding my congrats too! Great drive. Tell your dad Dave the cornerworker says hi!

[snayil]

isnt 1997 no one will want to sponsor u if u lie. think about it.

[fchysk8ter]

well, the car is a 1997 benetton, not the year that i drove it so i wasnt lieing. think about it.

[snayil]

oh it was the car srry u should think about not being a dick, mistakes do happen

[fchysk8ter]

yeah my bad i just thought it was pretty obvious that the video wasnt from 1997 seeing as though that would mean that i was 5 years old when i drove the f1 car haha.

[raulpp001]

age 16¿?

[lizardman743]

You're a lucky man my friend... a lucky man... at least i can sit on my porch and listen to it... lol

[MartinHire]

bit slow like, get your foot all the way down haha.

[Zedthirtyone]

dial 555-USF1

[steenerweiner]

Do work son. You the man

[embassyhill]

Damn I'm so jealous. You're 16 and you get to drive a car this awesome? That's not fair :D. I would be happy even if I'd get to try an F3 car but I think I'll never be rich enough :(

[willski1221]

You got outpaced by an Audi R10 TDI. Badly. Even lifted in the kink.

You gotta trust the downforce man, it's there.

[fchysk8ter]

ok, Audi R10 TDI time was from qualifying at a race, and i was there for a test day to have some fun. plus it was my 20th lap ever in the car, so big difference in experience there.

[willski1221]

This is true. Also, I heard later it was a Juud 4L V10 sintead of Renault one, so there was less hp.

Must have been seriously fun. Quickest track car I've driven is the Skip Barber F2000 national series car, so can I only imagine...

[HeelToeBoy]

Not to mention the Avon tires on the car currently don't have as much grip as the original goodyears. Also, this car uses a high downforce rear wing at Road America. And another thing, who has the balls to go 100% in a car that is owned by your dad and is 1 of 8 ever built?

[Ferrarirules123]

good driver.

[GTRF1V8]

I'd love to have F1 cars here. That would be AWESOME!

[steenerweiner]

haha....you rock.go fast

[racedriver52]

dude thats exactly what i want to do u are lucky

[paolo1986]

probably you have to be a very rich person

[robertman0011]

it's a shame that the car isn't using it's original engine, still one of the best looking f1 cars ever

[LanciaS4]

Are you sure that isn't the original engine?

[robertman0011]

they were using a 4litre judd v10(revs to about 13,000rpm)

the original had a 3.5litre renault v10(revs to about 17,000rpm)

[LanciaS4]

Fair enough, shame though, but quite a few teams (like those running old f1 cars in EuroBOSS over here), have bored their 3 litre engies out to 4 litre. :)

[FordFusion2006]

how the hell did YOU get a hold of a f1 car ???

[Chas3175]

Fun to watch. I like that you took "the Kink" instead of that namby pamby chicane.

[celineis1]

Hey James-Hummer says-How does it feel to kick the ol man's butt!!!Keep on rockin,buddy

Hummer

[ausgeflippt13]

James, it's Collin (I just remembered years ago I set up an account here). Outstanding job.

I just figured I'd post up here in case anyone who watches this doesn't think it's legit. I'll shoot ya an email. Keep rockin', Jimmy.