Michael Schumacher and Ferrari arrived at Magny-Cours for the 1997 French Grand Prix on a high, after winning the previous race in Canada. To make the victory even sweeter, his Formula 1 title rival Jacques Villeneuve crashed out of the event. The combination of Michael Schumacher and Ferrari was beginning to look irresistible.
Schumacher Wins Again at Magny-Cours
Pole position for the French Grand Prix went to Michael Schumacher, while his younger brother Ralf qualified third for Jordan. In between them was sandwiched the Williams of Heinz-Harald Frentzen. Villeneuve started from fourth, Eddie Irvine was fifth and Jarno Trulli (standing in for an injured Olivier Panis at Prost) sixth.
The weather was unpredictable on race day, but the Grand Prix started in dry conditions. The first two held position, but Ralf Schumacher was swamped by the pack. Irvine managed to find a way past Villeneuve’s Williams.
The race turned into a Michael Schumacher demonstration run, although it did liven up near the end when rain began to fall. Neither Michael Schumacher nor Frentzen pitted for intermediates and they both just about managed to stay on the tarmac to finish first and second. Behind them there were numerous position changes as drivers pitted and found varying levels of grip.
Villeneuve spun at the last corner of the last lap while trying a kamikaze overtake on Irvine. He didn’t hit anything solid and manage to cross the line in fourth, behind Irvine. Ralf Schumacher was let through by his brother to unlap himself just before the line. This proved useful, as when Jean Alesi punted off David Coulthard on the final lap, he was able to pick up a point for sixth place. Alesi survived the collision and finished the race in fifth.
Villeneuve Victorious in British Grand Prix
Qualifying was a hard fought affair at Silverstone, with Villeneuve just pipping his team-mate Frentzen to pole position. Mika Hakkinen was an encouraging third fastest for McLaren and Michael Schumacher was fourth. Alex Wurz, replacing Gerhard Berger who was sidelined with a sinus problem, outqualified his Benetton team-mate Alesi for the second time and lined up eighth.
Villeneuve led the early stages of the race, but was hampered by a sticking wheel during a pit stop which dropped him back. Frentzen lasted less than a lap before crashing out of the race in a collision with Jos Verstappen. Michael Schumacher’s challenge faltered when his Ferrari suffered a wheel bearing failure. Late in the race it was Hakkinen leading from Villeneuve, but it was not the Finn’s day, as his Mercedes engine expired. Villeneuve cruised home, with Alesi second and Wurz a remarkable third. Fourth went to Coulthard, followed by Ralf Schumacher and Damon Hill. It was the defending World Champion’s first point of the season.
1997 F1 Grand Prix review continues.
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