1997 British Grand Prix

The 1997 British Grand Prix, otherwise known as the L RAC British Grand Prix, was the ninth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Silverstone Circuit in Northamptonshire, UK, on the 13 July 1997.'British GP, 1997', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr606.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019) The race, which was the 50th British Grand Prix to be held to F1 rules, would see Jacques Villeneuve claim the 100th race victory for as a constructor.
Villeneuve would secure a comfortable pole position during qualifying, a return to his early season form. His teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen was second ahead of a surprisingly strong Mika Häkkinen, while Championship leader Michael Schumacher completed the second row.
The start of the race would, however, have to be aborted, for Frentzen stalled just as the lights came on. He was duly sent to the back of the grid for the second start, and hence gifted Villeneuve the chance to claim an early lead unopposed.
Villeneuve duly made a strong start to claim the lead, while Schumacher, with clear track in front of him secured second. The German racer was, however, to be challenged by a fast starting David Coulthard, who shot from sixth to third in the short sprint to Copse.
Further down a series of incidents further down would thin the field, with Ukyo Katayama managing to spin into the pitwall at the start, all on his own. Frentzen, meanwhile, would be wiped out by Jos Verstappen as he tried to battle up from the back of the field, with the Safety Car required to clear the circuit.
The race resumed on lap five, with Schumacher entertaining an early challenge on Villeneuve, only for the Canadian ace to establish himself in front. The #3 Williams duly began to inch away, while both dropped Coulthard at a significant rate.
Indeed, the Scot's lack of pace would be a major benefit, for Coulthard was keeping a large queue of traffic behind. That became all the more crucial to Villeneuve's race when his pace suddenly collapsed, caused by a wheel nut coming lose on lap ten.
Ironically, the lose wheel nut would play havoc on Villeneuve's stop when he came in for his first stop, sticking on to delay the Canadian long enough for Schumacher to sweep into the lead. Villeneuve ultimately lost thirty seconds in the pits, although Coulthard's lack of pace meant that he rejoined in seventh, right at the back of the Scot's queue as it began to fracture.
The Canadian ace quickly carved his way through the train, although Schumacher would hold a 40 second lead by the time Villeneuve found clear air. Yet, a seeming nailed-on victory would escape the German soon after, with a wheel bearing failure resulting in Schumacher weaving his way into the pits to retire.
Villeneuve was left with a fair lead, although a second stop put him back behind Mika Häkkinen, who was on a one-stop race. Furthermore, while the Canadian racer was able to catch the Finn he seemed to lack the extra pace needed to overtake the , until Häkkinen's engine expired with six laps to go.
Villeneuve duly cruised across the line to claim victory a few minutes later, with Jean Alesi ten seconds behind in second. Alexander Wurz was an impressive third, claiming his maiden podium finish, with Coulthard, Ralf Schumacher and Damon Hill securing the remaining points.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher moved fourteen points clear atop the Championship after his third win of the campaign, leaving France with 47 points to his name. Jacques Villeneuve remained his closest challenger, ending the day on 33 points, with both drivers having scored three wins. Heinz-Harald Frentzen, meanwhile, had climbed to third ahead of Eddie Irvine, while Olivier Panis slipped to fifth.
In the Constructors Championship it was a positive day for , who moved thirteen points clear at the head of the hunt. were their biggest threat, widely believed to have a superior car but poorer luck, with those two the favourites for the title heading into the second half of the season. Behind, had lost ground in third ahead of , with hanging onto their top-five status.
===Entry list===
The full entry list for the is outlined below:
No. 	Driver 	Entrant 	Constructor 	Chassis 	Engine 	Model 	Tyre
1 	Damon Hill 	Danka Arrows Yamaha 	 	A18 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
2 	Pedro Diniz 	Danka Arrows Yamaha 	 	A18 	 	OX11A 3.0 V10 	
3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW19 	 	RS9 3.0 V10 	
4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	Rothmans Williams Renault 	 	FW19 	 	RS9 3.0 V10 	
5 	Michael Schumacher 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F310B 	 	046/2 3.0 V10 	
6 	Eddie Irvine 	Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro 	 	F310B 	 	046/2 3.0 V10 	
7 	Jean Alesi 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B197 	 	RS9 3.0 V10 	
8 	Alexander Wurz 	Mild Seven Benetton Renault 	 	B197 	 	RS9 3.0 V10 	
9 	Mika Häkkinen 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/12 	 	FO 110E 3.0 V10 	
10 	David Coulthard 	West McLaren Mercedes 	 	MP4/12 	 	FO 110E 3.0 V10 	
11 	Ralf Schumacher 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	197 	 	A14 3.0 V10 	
12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	B&H Total Jordan Peugeot 	 	197 	 	A14 3.0 V10 	
14 	Jarno Trulli 	Prost Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS45 	 	MF-301HB 3.0 V10 	
15 	Shinji Nakano 	Prost Gauloises Blondes 	 	JS45 	 	MF-301HB 3.0 V10 	
16 	Johnny Herbert 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C16 	 	SPE-01 3.0 V10 	
17 	Norberto Fontana 	Red Bull Sauber Petronas 	 	C16 	 	SPE-01 3.0 V10 	
18 	Jos Verstappen 	PIAA Tyrrell 	 	025 	 	ED4 3.0 V10 	
19 	Mika Salo 	PIAA Tyrrell 	 	025 	 	ED4 3.0 V10 	
20 	Ukyo Katayama 	Minardi Team 	 	M197 	 	830 AV7 3.0 V10 	
21 	Tarso Marques 	Minardi Team 	 	M197 	 	830 AV7 3.0 V10 	
22 	Rubens Barrichello 	HSBC Malaysia Stewart Ford 	 	SF01 	 	VJ Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
23 	Jan Magnussen 	HSBC Malaysia Stewart Ford 	 	SF01 	 	VJ Zetec-R 3.0 V10 	
Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:21.598 	— 	226.770 km/h
2 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:21.732 	+0.134s 	226.398 km/h
3 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:21.797 	+0.199s 	226.219 km/h
4 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:21.977 	+0.379s 	225.722 km/h
5 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:22.277 	+0.679s 	224.899 km/h
6 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	1:22.279 	+0.681s 	224.893 km/h
7 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:22.342 	+0.744s 	224.721 km/h
8 	8 	Alexander Wurz 	 	1:22.344 	+0.746s 	224.716 km/h
9 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:22.368 	+0.770s 	224.650 km/h
10 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:22.371 	+0.773s 	224.642 km/h
11 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:22.392 	+0.794s 	224.585 km/h
12 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	1:23.271 	+1.673s 	222.214 km/h
13 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:23.366 	+1.768s 	221.961 km/h
14 	17 	Norberto Fontana 	 	1:23.790 	+2.192s 	220.838 km/h
15 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	1:23.887 	+2.289s 	220.582 km/h
16 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	1:24.067 	+2.469s 	220.110 km/h
17 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:24.239 	+2.641s 	219.661 km/h
18 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:24.478 	+2.880s 	219.039 km/h
19 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:24.553 	+2.955s 	218.845 km/h
20 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:25.010 	+3.412s 	217.668 km/h
21 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:25.154 	+3.556s 	217.300 km/h
22 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:25.525 	+3.927s 	216.358 km/h
107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310 	107% Time: 1:27.310
Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'The 1997 RAC British Grand Prix - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/662/great-britain/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'Britain 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car to set their best time in that session.
*Bold indicates a driver's best/qualifying time.
===Grid===
** Hill was to start at the back of the grid after stalling on the original start.
*† Fontana was made to start at the back of the grid after missing an FIA check.
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	59 	1:28:01.665 	1 	10
2 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	59 	+10.205s 	11 	6
3 	8 	Alexander Wurz 	 	59 	+11.296s 	8 	4
4 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	59 	+31.229s 	6 	3
5 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	59 	+31.880s 	5 	2
6 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	59 	+1:13.552 	12 	1
7 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	58 	+1 Lap 	10 	
8 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	58 	+1 Lap 	13 	
9 	17 	Norberto Fontana 	 	58 	+1 Lap 	22 	
10 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	58 	+1 Lap 	20 	
11* 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	57 	Engine 	14 	
Ret 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	52 	Engine 	3 	
Ret 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	50 	Engine 	15 	
Ret 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	45 	Engine 	19 	
Ret 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	44 	Halfshaft 	7 	
Ret 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	44 	Engine 	17 	
Ret 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	42 	Electrical 	9 	
Ret 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	38 	Wheel bearing 	4 	
Ret 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	37 	Engine 	21 	
Ret 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	29 	Engine 	16 	
Ret 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	0 	Collision 	2 	
Ret 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	0 	Accident 	18 	
Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Britain 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Nakano was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* 50th British Grand Prix to be staged.
* 1000th Grand Prix entry for a chassis.'1997 British GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1997&gp=British%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
* David Coulthard made his 50th Grand Prix start.'9. Britain 1997', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/grande-bretagne.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
* 25th race entry for Jacques Villeneuve.
* Tenth entry for Jan Magnussen.
* Villeneuve scored his eighth career victory.
* registered their 100th win as a constructor.
** 91st win for a engined car.
**This was the last time to date that a Williams driver had won at Silverstone. 
* Maiden podium finish for Alexander Wurz.
==Standings==
Jacques Villeneuve had delivered a significant blow in the Championship battle between himself and Michael Schumacher, moving on 43 points at the halfway point. Schumacher still had the lead, but his advantage had been cut to four points after he failed to score. Behind, Jean Alesi was up into third, and likely out of the Championship hunt, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen and Eddie Irvine on his tail.
 ended the weekend with the lead in the Constructors Championship, although their lead had been drastically reduced after their double retirement. Indeed, had done the damage, moving to within three points of the Scuderia, with those two set to duel for the crown during the second half of the season. Behind had enhanced their grip on third, moving eleven clear of in fourth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	47 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	43 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	21 	3
4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	19 	1
5 	Eddie Irvine 	18 	1
6 	Olivier Panis 	15 	1
7 	David Coulthard 	14 	
8 	Gerhard Berger 	10 	
9 	Mika Häkkinen 	10 	
10 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	8 	
11 	Ralf Schumacher 	7 	2
12 	Johnny Herbert 	7 	1
13 	Rubens Barrichello 	6 	1
14 	Alexander Wurz 	4 	12
15 	Mika Salo 	2 	1
16 	Nicola Larini 	1 	1
17 	Shinji Nakano 	1 	1
18 	Damon Hill 	1 	3
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	65 	
2 	 	62 	
3 	 	35 	
4 	 	24 	
5 	 	16 	
6 	 	15 	
7 	 	8 	
8 	 	6 	
9 	 	2 	
10 	 	1 	
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:1997 Grands Prix
Category:British Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in the United Kingdom