With six races remaining in the 1997 Formula 1 season both Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher could still win the World Championship. At Spa-Francorchamps, for the Belgian Grand Prix, tricky weather conditions would play into the Ferrari driver’s hands.
Schumacher Supreme in Belgian Grand Prix
Villeneuve may have been on pole at Spa, but rain on race day meant that Michael Schumacher became an instant favourite to take victory. While others played safe and opted for wet tyres the German gambled on using intermediates. Before long he was leading the race, by a huge margin. The Grand Prix was started behind a safety car due to the treacherous conditions but they posed no problem for the Ferrari driver.
As the track dried Michael Schumacher pitted for slicks and rejoined, going on to score a comprehensive victory. Giancarlo Fisichella showed great composure to finish second in his Jordan. Mika Hakkinen was third in his McLaren, Heinz-Harald Frentzen fourth, Johnny Herbert fifth and Jacques Villeneuve an unhappy sixth.
Coulthard Beats Alesi at Monza
Jean Alesi ended qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at the top of the timesheets in his Benetton. Frentzen was second quickest and Fisichella third. Villeneuve was content in fourth, safe in the knowledge that Ferrari were having a disastrous weekend. Michael Schumacher and Eddie Irvine were ninth and tenth respectively.
The race developed into a strategic battle between Alesi and David Coulthard. With overtaking on track being virtually impossible the Grand Prix was decide during the pit stops, with Coulthard emerging ahead. It was the Scotsman’s second victory of the season, after he won the opening race in Melbourne. Alesi was just under two seconds behind the McLaren at the flag, with Frentzen third for Williams. Fisichella finished in fourth, ahead of Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher.
Trulli Shines in Austrian Grand Prix
After a ten year absence Formula 1 returned to Austria in 1997, to race at the new A1 Ring. Villeneuve claimed pole, ahead of Hakkinen’s McLaren. In third place was the Prost driven by Jarno Trulli and the young Italian was to be the star of the shoe on race day.
Hakkinen led for less than a lap before his Mercedes engine cried enough. Trulli assumed the lead and promptly disappeared out front, opening up a large gap to second place. His time in the spotlight finally came to an end many laps later when his engine failed, but it had been a stunning performance.
Villeneuve was the main benefactor from Trulli’s misfortune and went on to win the race from Coulthard. Frentzen was third and Fisichella fourth. Ralf Schumacher was fifth, just ahead of his brother who had his race compromised by a stop/go penalty incurred after he passed under a yellow flag.
1997 Formula 1 review continues.
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