For the 1992 season, Leyton House were rebranded as March F1, after they were sold to a consortium led by Ken Marrable, John Byfield, Tony Birchfield, Gustav Brunner and Henny Vollenberg. Capelli left for Ferrari and was permanently replaced by Wendlinger, whilst Gugelmin switched to Jordan and was replaced by Paul Belmondo. March were no longer the only team running the Ilmor engine; Tyrrell's 020 also used the 2175A V10. However, the 1992 season did not start well for March, as Wendlinger retired from the 1992 South African Grand Prix with an overheating engine after 13 laps, and Belmondo failed to qualify.[18] Wendlinger also retired from both of the following races, whilst Belmondo failed to qualify for either race. The 1992 Spanish Grand Prix, by contrast, was extremely successful; both drivers finished the race, with Wendlinger taking eighth, and Belmondo twelfth (albeit last of the finishers). Both cars finished the 1992 San Marino Grand Prix, but Wendlinger in twelfth and Belmondo in thirteenth were the last of the finishers. The 1992 Monaco Grand Prix was one to forget for the team; not only did Belmondo fail to qualify, but Wendlinger retired due to gearbox failure on the first lap. Both cars finished the 1992 Canadian Grand Prix, and Wendlinger took fourth, ten places ahead of Belmondo. After Wendlinger suffered gearbox failure and Belmondo failed to qualify at both the 1992 French Grand Prix and 1992 British Grand Prix, both cars finished the 1992 German Grand Prix; this time, Wendlinger was the one at the back of the field, in 16th, whilst Belmondo took 13th. Belmondo followed up with ninth at the 1992 Hungarian Grand Prix, in what would prove to be his last race with March. By now, March's money was beginning to run out, and Belmondo was replaced by Uliveto-backed Emanuele Naspetti. This appeared to pay off, as Wendlinger led Naspetti home in 11th. Wendlinger followed this with tenth at the 1992 Italian Grand Prix, whilst Naspetti was eleventh at the 1992 Portuguese Grand Prix. This was Wendlinger's last race for the team; he was replaced by veteran racer Jan Lammers for the 1992 Japanese Grand Prix, where Naspetti finished 13th. Lammers finished the season at the 1992 Australian Grand Prix by taking 12th place. Wendlinger's three points from the Canadian Grand Prix secured himself 12th in the Drivers' Championship, and March took ninth in the Constructors' standings.
Best Lap Times
Track | | Livery | Driver | Best Lap |
NO LAP TIMES HAVE BEEN SET IN THIS CAR! |