1997 Formula 1 Grand Prix Season
Villeneuve Won the F1 Title Despite Collision with Schumacher
Dec 28, 2008
Jacques Villeneuve and Michael Schumacher fought all season long for the 1997 Formula 1 World Championship. With three races remaining it was still unclear which driver would take the title.
Schumacher Brothers Collide at the Nurburgring
The Formula teams gathered at the Nurburgring circuit in Germany for the curiously titled Luxembourg Grand Prix. Mika Hakkinen was fastest in qualifying, with Villeneuve alongside him on the front row. Then came Heinz-Harald Frentzen, Giancarlo Fisichella and Michael Schumacher.
The start of the race was extraordinary. The two Jordan drivers collided at turn one and Ralf Schumacher was launched into his older brother Michael’s Ferrari, who was fighting for the World Championship. The accident left both brothers out of the race, which was won by Villeneuve. McLaren had looked like winning, until both engines let go within moments of each other. Jean Alesi finished second and Frentzen was third. Gerhard Berger was fourth man home, Pedro Diniz fifth and Jarno Trulli sixth.
Schumacher and Irvine Conspire in Japanese Grand Prix
Villeneuve did his title hopes no good whatsoever during qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix, when he accelerated through a yellow flag zone. The French-Canadian driver raced under appeal, but ultimately lost his two points for fifth place. His rival, Michael Schumacher, took full advantage and won the race from Frentzen. The German benefited from some none too subtle teamwork, with Irvine holding up Hakkinen and Villeneuve during the race. The Irishman finished the race third, ahead of Hakkinen. The final point went to Alesi in the Benetton.
Schumacher Loses Out in Formula 1 Title Decider
Qualifying at Jerez for the final race of the season, the European Grand Prix was extraordinary. Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher and Frentzen set identical times to the nearest thousandth of a second. Grid positions were decided by who set the times first, so it was Villeneuve on pole, followed by Michael Schumacher second and Frentzen third. The Ferrari driver held a one point lead over Villeneuve in the World Championship.
Michael Schumacher made the best start and led the early stages of the race from Frentzen, before the latter allowed Villeneuve though into second place. After pit stops Villeneuve was right with the Ferrari and made his move. Michael Schumacher blatantly drove into Villeneuve’s Williams, but it did not work. The Ferrari ended up beached and Villeneuve escaped without terminal damage.
On the final lap Villeneuve was under pressure from the McLaren pair and, deciding discretion was the better part of valour, allowed both David Coulthard and Hakkinen through. Coulthard then let Hakkinen into the lead to score his maiden Formula 1 win. Villeneuve was third and the new World Champion. Berger was fourth, Irvine fifth and Frentzen sixth. Michael Schumacher later had his entire points haul for the season erased as punishment for his behaviour.
 |
