The first race of the 1997 Formula 1 season was won by McLaren’s David Coulthard. The Scotsman took full advantage of Jacques Villeneuve’s misfortune, as the title favourite was unceremoniously punted out of the race at the first corner by Ferrari’s Eddie Irvine. Villeneuve hoped to score his first points of the season at the next round in Brazil.
Villeneuve Dominates Brazilian Grand Prix
Villeneuve qualified on pole at Interlagos, with the Ferrari of Michael Schumacher joining him on the front row. Gerhard Berger was pleased to be third quickest in his Benetton, just ahead of Mika Hakkinen’s McLaren. Olivier Panis qualified his Prost fifth, while Jean Alesi was sixth in the other Benetton. Heinz-Harald Frentzen was a frustrated eighth in his Williams.
The Grand Prix had barely started before it was red flagged because of local hero Rubens Barrichello’s Stewart, which was stuck on the grid. This was a lucky break for Villeneuve, who had gone off at the first corner. At the re-start Villeneuve lost out to Schumacher, but was soon back ahead. Once out in front he proceeded to pull away at a rapid rate.
After being passed by Villeneuve, Michael Schumacher struggled for the rest of the race. Berger eventually found a way past the Ferrari and went on to finish second, behind Villeneuve. Panis was a highly encouraging third, giving the Prost team their first podium. Hakkinen was fourth, Michael Schumacher fifth and Alesi sixth.
Villeneuve Wins Argentine Grand Prix
Despite both suffering from illness in Argentina, Williams pair Villeneuve and Frentzen finished qualifying with a 1-2, the former being on pole. The start of the race was chaotic. Michael Schumacher pushed Panis off the circuit on the run down to turn one, although the irate Frenchman managed to rejoin. The Ferrari driver then ran into Barrichello’s Stewart, taking both of them out of the race. Further back David Coulthard was eliminated in a collision with Michael’s younger brother, Ralf Schumacher, who was competing in only his third Grand Prix.
The safety car was deployed while the track was cleared, with Villeneuve leading the train of cars. Frentzen didn’t last long, retiring with a broken clutch, leaving Panis to harass Villeneuve at the front. The Prost driver was able to keep with the leading Williams, before retiring from the race with a hydraulic failure.
Ralf Schumacher played an important role in the outcome of the Grand Prix. A Jordan driver looked likely to win the race, before Ralf Schumacher took out his team-mate Giancarlo Fisichella while trying to overtake. Villeneuve won the race from Irvine, with Ralf Schumacher recovering to third. Johnny Herbert drove an impressive race to finish fourth in his Sauber, while Hakkinen was fifth and Berger sixth.
1997 Formula 1 season review continues.
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