Jacques Villeneuve won the championship 20 years ago today after a controversial attack from rival Michael Schumacher in the 1997 European Grand Prix.
1997 F1 season articles archive
Articles on the 1997 Formula One world championship season.
Villeneuve disqualification sets up championship showdown with Schumacher
1997 Japanese Grand Prix flashback
Posted onToday in 1997 Michael Schumacher took a one-point championship lead with one race to go after Jacques Villeneuve was disqualified from the Japanese Grand Prix.
Villeneuve takes final win after Schumacher brothers collide
1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix flashback
Posted onJacques Villeneuve’s victory in the 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix was the last of his career and put him within touching distance of the title.
Schumacher’s yellow flag penalty helps Villeneuve slash his points lead
1997 Austrian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onJacques Vileneuve cut Michael Schumacher’s lead to a single point on this day 20 years ago after the Ferrari driver was handed a ten-second stop-go penalty.
Coulthard charges to Monza victory as title contenders struggle
1997 Italian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onDavid Coulthard snatched his second victory of 1997 in the Italian Grand Prix as the championship contenders struggled at Monza.
Schumacher capitalises as Williams get it wrong in the rain again
1997 Belgian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onA rain shower minutes before the 1997 Belgian Grand Prix began played into Michael Schumacher’s hands on this day 20 years ago.
Last-lap heartbreak for Hill and Arrows
1997 Hungarian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onDamon Hill came within a lap of scoring what would have been one of the greatest shock wins in Formula One history on this day 20 years ago.
Berger takes final win in ‘a race I shouldn’t have done’
1997 German Grand Prix flashback
Posted onThe championship contest took a back seat at the German Grand Prix 20 years ago today as one of the sport’s old hands returned to claim a final victory.
Villeneuve lucks out then lucks in for second Silverstone win
1997 British Grand Prix flashback
Posted onBad luck cost Jacques Villeneuve the lead at Silverstone today in 1997 but good fortune handed him the win back at the expense of Mika Hakkinen.
Inspired Schumacher takes ’11-point win’ at Magny-Cours
1997 French Grand Prix flashback
Posted onIn the middle of one of the most frantic final laps of an F1 race a cool-headed Michael Schumacher found the time to help out his little brother.
Villeneuve slip-up hands title lead back to Schumacher after Panis crash
1997 Canadian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onTwenty years ago today the Wall of Champions claimed the home favourite in Montreal but another driver had a much more serious crash.
Villeneuve’s binary season goes on as Panis charges to second
1997 Spanish Grand Prix flashback
Posted onJacques Villeneuve’s Spanish Grand Prix victory 20 years ago today put him ahead of Michael Schumacher in the title fight. But a potential new rival also emerged.
Schumacher’s wet weather mastery puts him on top
1997 Monaco Grand Prix flashback
Posted onMichael Schumacher took the points lead 20 years ago today with a commanding victory in a wet Monaco GP. But the car in second was just as significant.
Villeneuve picks a fight, Frentzen wins one
1997 San Marino Grand Prix flashback
Posted onTwo consecutive wins had put Jacques Villeneuve ahead in the 1997 F1 championship. But at Imola he had more on his mind than just the title fight.
Ill Villeneuve withstands Irvine attack to win again
1997 Argentinian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onAn unwell Jacques Villeneuve held off a charging Eddie Irvine to 20 years ago today at Buenos Aires after Michael Schumacher crashed out at the start.
Villeneuve avenges Australia defeat as Panis takes shock podium
1997 Brazilian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onJacques Villeneuve bounced back from his turn one retirement at the first race of 1997 by winning the second race of the season in Brazil on this day 20 years ago.
McLaren end win drought after first lap crash
1997 Australian Grand Prix flashback
Posted onThe 1997 F1 season was expected to be a Williams walkover but a first-corner crash opened the door for a surprise winner in round one.
Remembering F1’s last great leap forward and an explosive title battle
1997 F1 season
Posted onFive seconds per lap faster? They didn’t need a rules overhaul to manage it in 1997, when a tyre war caused F1’s last leap forward.