1997 French Grand Prix

The 1997 French Grand Prix, otherwise known as the LXXXIII Grand Prix de France, was the eighth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Nevers Magny-Cours in Magny-Cours, France, on the 29 June 1997.'French GP, 1997', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr605.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to a dominant victory, his third of the season, to extend his Championship lead over pre-season favourite Jacques Villeneuve.
The weekend began with Schumacher sweeping to pole position, the ace proving more than a match for the two s which had dominated qualifying to that point. The German racer duly claimed pole by two tenths from compatriot Heinz-Harald Frentzen, while Ralf Schumacher was a surprisingly strong third for .
Raceday dawned with intermittent showers, although after a wet warm-up the circuit was completely dry in time for the start. Schumacher duly aced his launch to claim an early lead, while Frentzen finally made a good start of his own to hold off the Jordan equipped Schumacher into the first corner.
Elsewhere, the two catapulted themselves up the order, Mika Häkkinen and David Coulthard ending up behind Ralf Schumacher, while Jarno Trulli made a mess of his start. The Italian racer would kick-up a fair cloud of tyre smoke as he tried to launch away, with the resulting compression into the first corner, caused by the slower than average , resulting in Damon Hill getting shoved off the circuit with a broken nose.
Yet, the order would quickly settle, with Michael Schumacher quickly building a lead over Frentzen. Behind Ralf Schumacher would keep the two McLarens at bay, aided by the early demise of Häkkinen, with the top eight remaining unchanged barring the Finn's early exit.
Indeed, the order hardly changed during either of the two scheduled stops, with Frentzen denying Schumacher a potential Grand Chelem by leading for a couple of laps. After the completion of their stops the Williams was still ten seconds down on the Ferrari, although the skies around Magny-Cours had got noticeably darker.
The clouds duly broke with nine laps to go, a quick but constant drizzle ensuring that the circuit quickly became greasy, but not significantly wet. Several drivers would sweep into the pits for intermediates, the highest placed being Coulthard in fifth, although the top four, comprising of Schumacher, Frentzen, Eddie Irvine and Villeneuve, all stayed out.
Irvine and Villeneuve would come in for inters later, with a slow stop for Villeneuve resulting in him slipping behind Coulthard and Ralf Schumacher. Out front, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher and Frentzen would slither on with slicks, both having missed the chance to stop without slipping down the order.
On the penultimate lap there would be some drastic changes in the fight for fourth, with Villeneuve sweeping past Ralf Schumacher, while Coulthard made a mistake and slipped behind the pair of them. The Scot duly rejoined ahead of Jean Alesi, although they were both to be promoted when Schumacher spun and dropped behind them to seventh.
Onto the final lap and Michael Schumacher lapped his brother Ralf towards the end of the lap, although ultimately eased off at the end of the lap to allow the Jordan to streak back onto the lead lap. That proved to be vital for Ralf's race, for an aggressive move by Alesi on the final lap saw the Frenchman put Coulthard into the gravel when defending fifth, leaving the Scot stranded.
Out front, meanwhile, Michael Schumacher would cruise across the line over twenty seconds clear of Frentzen, while Villeneuve spun into the pit lane at the last corner while trying to pass Irvine which allowed Irvine to complete the podium. Villeneuve would re-join just in front of Alesi who would finish a controversial fifth ahead of Ralf Schumacher, with Coulthard ultimately ending the day in seventh and hugely frustrated.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher moved back to the top of the Championship with his second win of the season, establishing a seven point lead. Jacques Villeneuve had made way for him, a disappointing end to his home race, with an now injured Olivier Panis in third. Behind him sat Eddie Irvine ahead of Heinz-Harald Frentzen, with Jean Alesi level with the German in sixth.
In the Constructors Championship had managed to build up their lead, leaving Canada with an eight point advantage. were still their closest challengers, sat on 43 points, with a twenty point gap back to the similarly engined effort. Benetton themselves had moved into third as a result of the Canadian weekend, moving ahead of , with completing the top five.
===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:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/engages.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/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 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:14.548 	— 	205.237 km/h
2 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:14.749 	+0.201s 	204.685 km/h
3 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:14.755 	+0.207s 	204.669 km/h
4 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:14.800 	+0.252s 	204.545 km/h
5 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:14.860 	+0.312s 	204.382 km/h
6 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:14.957 	+0.409s 	204.117 km/h
7 	8 	Alexander Wurz 	 	1:14.986 	+0.438s 	204.038 km/h
8 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:15.228 	+0.680s 	203.382 km/h
9 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	1:15.270 	+0.722s 	203.268 km/h
10 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:15.339 	+0.791s 	203.082 km/h
11 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:15.453 	+0.905s 	202.775 km/h
12 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	1:15.857 	+1.309s 	201.695 km/h
13 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:15.876 	+1.328s 	201.645 km/h
14 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:16.018 	+1.470s 	201.268 km/h
15 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	1:16.149 	+1.601s 	200.922 km/h
16 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:16.536 	+1.988s 	199.906 km/h
17 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	1:16.729 	+2.181s 	199.403 km/h
18 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:16.941 	+2.393s 	198.854 km/h
19 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:17.256 	+2.708s 	198.043 km/h
20 	17 	Norberto Fontana 	 	1:17.538 	+2.990s 	197.323 km/h
21 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:17.563 	+3.015s 	197.259 km/h
22 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:18.280 	+3.732s 	195.452 km/h
107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766 	107% Time: 1:19.766
Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de France 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/661/france/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 21/08/2019)'France 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/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===
==Race==
===Report===
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	72 	1:38:50.492 	1 	10
2 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	72 	+23.537s 	2 	6
3 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	72 	+1:14.801 	5 	4
4 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	72 	+1:21.784 	4 	3
5 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	72 	+1:22.735 	8 	2
6 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	72 	+1:29.871 	3 	1
7* 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	71 	Collision 	9 	
8 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	71 	+1 Lap 	14 	
9 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	71 	+1 Lap 	11 	
10 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	6 	
11 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	70 	+2 Laps 	21 	
12 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	69 	+3 Laps 	17 	
Ret 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	61 	Electrical 	19 	
Ret 	8 	Alexander Wurz 	 	60 	Spin 	7 	
Ret 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	58 	Spin 	16 	
Ret 	17 	Norberto Fontana 	 	40 	Spin 	20 	
Ret 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	36 	Engine 	13 	
Ret 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	33 	Brakes 	15 	
Ret 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	18 	Engine 	10 	
Ret 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	15 	Spin 	18 	
Ret 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	7 	Spin 	12 	
Ret 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	5 	Engine 	22 	
Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)	Source:'France 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france/classement.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* Norberto Fontana made his Grand Prix debut.'1997 French GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1997&gp=French%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
* Michael Schumacher secured the 120th pole position for as a constructor and engine supplier.'8. France 1997', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/france.aspx, (Accessed 21/08/2019)
* 25th victory for Schumacher.
* Ferrari scored their 111th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
==Standings==
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.
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 	33 	
3 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	19 	2
4 	Eddie Irvine 	18 	
5 	Olivier Panis 	15 	2
6 	Jean Alesi 	15 	
7 	David Coulthard 	11 	
8 	Gerhard Berger 	10 	
9 	Mika Häkkinen 	10 	
10 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	8 	
11 	Johnny Herbert 	7 	
12 	Rubens Barrichello 	6 	
13 	Ralf Schumacher 	5 	
14 	Mika Salo 	2 	
15 	Nicola Larini 	1 	
16 	Shinji Nakano 	1 	
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	65 	
2 	 	52 	
3 	 	25 	
4 	 	21 	
5 	 	16 	
6 	 	13 	
7 	 	8 	
8 	 	6 	
9 	 	2 	
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:French Grand Prix
Category:Formula One races in France