1997 F1 Season

The 1997 Formula One World Championship, marking the 51st season of FIA Formula One motor racing, commenced on 9 March and concluded on 26 October, spanning seventeen races. Jacques Villeneuve emerged as the Drivers’ Champion, securing his title in a dramatic and controversial finale, while Williams-Renault clinched the Constructors’ Championship. The season was notable for introducing two new Grands Prix – the Luxembourg and Austrian Grand Prix, with the latter making a comeback after a decade. The Portuguese Grand Prix, however, was dropped from the calendar.

Controversy peaked in the final race at the European Grand Prix in Jerez, Spain, where championship leader Michael Schumacher collided with Villeneuve in a contentious incident. Schumacher was subsequently disqualified from the championship standings for this collision, cementing Villeneuve’s title win despite finishing third in the race. The season also witnessed the retirement of Gerhard Berger and the first race win for Mika Häkkinen. Notably, this was the last championship won by a non-European driver, the last for Williams as both Constructors’ and Drivers’ champions, and the final championship won on Goodyear tyres. It also marked the end of V8-powered cars in Formula One until their reintroduction in 2006.