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BBC News | Formula 1 | Benetton boss steps down


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Friday, October 30, 1998 Published at 10:42 GMT

Benetton boss steps down

Alexander Wurz crashes during the Canadian Grand Prix in June

David Richards has resigned as head of the Benetton team less than two weeks before the Japanese Grand Prix, the final race in this season's Grand Prix calendar.

The 46-year-old, who replaced Flavio Briatore as chief executive just 13 months ago, will be replaced by the team's commercial director Rocco Benetton.

[ image: David Richards (left) with Flavio Briatore]
David Richards (left) with Flavio Briatore
Richards was brought in to revitalise the team which won both the drivers' and constructors' titles with Michael Schumacher in 1995.

He was formerly co-driver when Ari Vatanen won the 1981 World Rally title and later went on to run thre successful Subaru team.

But this year's championship has been a two-horse race between McLaren and Ferrari with Benetton battling with Williams and Jordan for third place in the constructors' standings.

They have managed only two podium finishes, with Giancarlo Fischella taking second place in Monaco and Canada.

Benetton will go into the race at Suzuka on November 1 in fourth place, just two points behind Williams and two ahead of Jordan.