The opening five races of the 1997 Formula 1 season produced four different winners. David Coulthard won the Australian Grand Prix, before Jacques Villeneuve got into his stride and took victory in the next two events. At Imola Heinz-Harald Frentzen scored his maiden Formula 1 win and Michael Schumacher won his third Monaco Grand Prix. Although without a race win, Prost driver Olivier Panis emerged as an unexpected candidate for the title with consistently good points finishes. The Frenchman’s season would come to an abrupt end at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Villeneuve Wins Spanish Grand Prix
Qualifying in Spain saw Villeneuve take pole for Williams, with his team-mate Frentzen second. Coulthard was happy to be third in his McLaren, ahead of Jean Alesi in fourth, Mika Hakkinen fifth, Gerhard Berger sixth and Michael Schumacher seventh. At Sauber Nicola Larini was replaced by his countryman Gianni Morbidelli, whose stint with the team didn’t get off to the best start when he crashed exiting the pit lane during practice.
Villeneuve led away from the line, while Frentzen bogged down. Coulthard held second place briefly before Michael Schumacher swept past. The German had made an incredible start, but could not match the pace of Villeneuve. He had chosen a three stop strategy, but it was not the best decision.
The Grand Prix was won by Villeneuve, with Panis second after starting way down in 12th. Alesi was third, which meant that all of the drivers on the podium had used a two stop strategy. Panis may have been closer to Villeneuve at the finish had he not been held up for several laps behind Eddie Irvine’s Ferrari. The Irishman received a stop/go penalty for his troubles. Michael Schumacher could only finish in fourth place, with Johnny Herbert fifth and Coulthard sixth.
Schumacher Wins and Panis Crashes Heavily at Canadian Grand Prix
Berger was absent from the Canadian Grand Prix, and was replaced by Formula 1 newcomer Alex Wurz. Indeed, illness would keep Berger out of action for several races.
Michael Schumacher started the race from pole and held his lead, with local boy Villeneuve giving chase. Panis’s race was compromised at the start when he hit the back of Hakkinen’s McLaren. He pitted for a new nose and rejoined well down. Villeneuve’s race lasted until lap two, when he made a mistake at the final chicane and crashed into the wall.
The safety car was sent out after Ukyo Katayama crashed his Minardi heavily and, when the race resumed, Coulthard emerged as a potential winner. His hopes disappeared during a pit stop when the McLaren stalled. The race was then brought to a premature halt following a serious crash involving Panis, which left the Frenchman with two broken legs. Michael Schumacher won the race from Alesi, with Giancarlo an excellent third for Jordan. Frentzen was fourth in the sole surviving Williams, Johnny Herbert fifth and Shinji Nakano sixth.
1997 Formula 1 review continues.
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