1997 Monaco Grand Prix

The 1997 Monaco Grand Prix, officially known as the LV Grand Prix de Monaco, was the fifth round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, staged at the Circuit de Monaco in Monte Carlo, Monaco, on the 11 May 1997.'Monaco GP, 1997', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr602.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019) The race would see Michael Schumacher sweep to victory, in a race that celebrated the 700th anniversary of Monaco's foundation as an independent nation.
Qualifying would see Schumacher almost secure pole position, only for Heinz-Harald Frentzen to beat his early effort to secure top spot. Schumacher himself made a mess of his final run and had to settle for second, while Championship leader Jacques Villeneuve lined up in third.
Rain on race morning ensured there was confusion on the grid, with teams having to decide on whether to adopt a wet or dry setup. The two s would ultimately stick with a fully dry setup, and Schumacher gambled on a wet setup, while the s and David Coulthard opted to take intermediate tyres.
Ultimately it was those who opted for wet/intermediate setups and tyres that made the best starts, with Schumacher sprinting into an early lead. Frentzen and Villeneuve, in contrast, would make awful starts, allowing Giancarlo Fisichella to leap into second, while Ralf Schumacher slithered ahead of Villeneuve.
Behind, however, there would be chaos, with numerous minor collisions eventually resulting in Pedro Diniz, on slicks, being pushed into the wall. Coulthard was another early victim, spinning out at the chicane, prompting teammate Mika Häkkinen, on slicks, to slide straight into the back of Jean Alesi as both tried to avoid the stricken . A similar incident also saw Damon Hill remove himself from the race on the back of Eddie Irvine.
Out front, meanwhile, Schumacher was simply running away with the race win, pulling out a twenty second lead before the end of lap five. Behind, his brother Ralf managed to dart past Frentzen to secure third behind Fisichella, with the two Jordan-Peugeots running two-three throughout the early laps.
That was, until Rubens Barrichello danced his around the pair of them, the Brazilian looking inspired on the circuit that had kick-started his legendary compatriot Ayrton Senna's career. Indeed, had Schumacher not got such a good early run Barrichello may have been able to challenge, although by the time he cleared the Jordans the Brazilian was over half a minute behind.
Elsewhere, Villeneuve would skate into the barriers at the chicane, while Frentzen would do likewise after stopping for wets. Irvine, meanwhile, would battle his way up the order to secure third mid-race, as the Ralf Schumacher spun out, and Fisichella's pace collapsed once he opted to preserve his tyres.
Michael Schumacher, meanwhile, would remain unchallenged through to the chequered flag, which appeared sixteen laps early due to the two-hour time limit. Barrichello duly secured an impressive maiden podium finish for Stewart ahead of Irvine, with Olivier Panis, Mika Salo and Fisichella securing the remaining points. Salo drove the race without a depot visit.
==Background==
Heinz-Harald Frentzen shot into the top three after his maiden victory, leaving San Marino four behind compatriot Michael Schumacher, who had himself moved into second. However, both were still a fair way shy of early Championship leader Jacques Villeneuve, with the Canadian ace holding a six point lead over Schumacher with a quarter of the season gone. Behind, David Coulthard was level with Frentzen on ten points and a win, while Eddie Irvine, Gerhard Berger and Mika Häkkinen also having claimed ten points.
In the Constructors Championship it was who once again ended a race weekend on top, moving onto 30 points with three race wins. had moved into second, six behind the Anglo-French alliance, while slipped to third, ten off the lead. were next ahead of , while and completing the score sheet.
===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 	Gerhard Berger 	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 	Olivier Panis 	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 	Nicola Larini 	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 	Jarno Trulli 	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:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/engages.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===Report===
===Qualifying Results===
The full qualifying results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Time 	Gap 	Ave. Speed
1 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:18.216 	— 	154.925 km/h
2 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	1:18.235 	+0.019s 	154.887 km/h
3 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:18.583 	+0.367s 	154.201 km/h
4 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:18.665 	+0.449s 	154.041 km/h
5 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	1:18.779 	+0.563s 	153.818 km/h
6 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:18.943 	+0.727s 	153.498 km/h
7 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:19.105 	+0.889s 	153.184 km/h
8 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:19.119 	+0.903s 	153.157 km/h
9 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:19.263 	+1.047s 	152.878 km/h
10 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:19.295 	+1.079s 	152.817 km/h
11 	17 	Nicola Larini 	 	1:19.468 	+1.252s 	152.484 km/h
12 	14 	Olivier Panis 	 	1:19.626 	+1.410s 	152.181 km/h
13 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	1:19.674 	+1.458s 	152.090 km/h
14 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:19.694 	+1.478s 	152.052 km/h
15 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:19.723 	+1.507s 	151.996 km/h
16 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:19.860 	+1.644s 	151.736 km/h
17 	8 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:20.199 	+1.983s 	151.094 km/h
18 	21 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:20.349 	+2.133s 	150.812 km/h
19 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	1:20.516 	+2.300s 	150.499 km/h
20 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:20.606 	+2.390s 	150.331 km/h
21 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	1:20.961 	+2.745s 	149.672 km/h
22 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:21.290 	+3.074s 	149.066 km/h
107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691 	107% Time: 1:23.691
Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Grand Prix de Monaco 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/658/monaco/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 20/08/2019)'Monaco 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)
*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 	 	62 	2:00:05.654 	2 	10
2 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	62 	+53.306s 	10 	6
3 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	62 	+1:22.108 	15 	4
4 	14 	Olivier Panis 	 	62 	+1:44.402 	12 	3
5 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	61 	+1 lap 	14 	2
6 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	61 	+1 lap 	4 	1
7 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	61 	+1 lap 	19 	
8 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	60 	+2 laps 	22 	
9 	8 	Gerhard Berger 	 	60 	+2 laps 	17 	
10 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	60 	+2 laps 	20 	
Ret 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	39 	Accident 	1 	
Ret 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	36 	Spun off 	21 	
Ret 	17 	Nicola Larini 	 	24 	Puncture 	11 	
Ret 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	16 	Spun off 	9 	
Ret 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	16 	Accident 	3 	
Ret 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	10 	Spun off 	6 	
Ret 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	9 	Accident 	7 	
Ret 	21 	Jarno Trulli 	 	7 	Accident 	18 	
Ret 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	1 	Collision 	5 	
Ret 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1 	Collision 	8 	
Ret 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	1 	Collision 	13 	
Ret 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	0 	Spun off 	16 	
Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)	Source:'Monaco 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco/classement.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
==Milestones==
* 75th and final Grand Prix entry for Nicola Larini.'1997 Monaco GP', chicanef1.com, (Chicane F1, 2014), http://www.chicanef1.com/racetit.pl?year=1997&gp=Monaco%20GP&r=1, (Accessed 20/08/2019)
* Maiden pole position for Heinz-Harald Frentzen.'5. Monaco 1997', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/monaco.aspx, (Accessed 20/08/2019)
* 23rd career victory for Michael Schumacher.
* scored their 109th win as a constructor and engine supplier.
* Rubens Barrichello claimed the maiden podium finish for as a constructor.
** This was also the first points finish for Stewart.
* Schumacher recorded the 125th fastest lap for a Ferrari chassis and engine.
* Final points finish for .
==Standings==
Michael Schumacher moved to the top of the Championship after his first win of the season, moving four clear of former leader Jacques Villeneuve. Eddie Irvine was next, leaping up to third ahead of Heinz-Harald Frentzen, with the German racer still level with four other drivers on ten points. Behind that cluster came Olivier Panis, while Rubens Barrichello had shot into to top ten with his podium finish.
In the Constructors Championship it was who ended the day at the head of the hunt, establishing an eight point lead. had made way for them, continuing their run of race win or retirement, while had likewise lost ground in third, slipping eighteen off the lead. were next ahead of to complete the top five, with nine constructors on the board.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	24 	1
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	20 	1
3 	Eddie Irvine 	14 	2
4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	10 	1
5 	David Coulthard 	10 	1
6 	Gerhard Berger 	10 	
7 	Mika Häkkinen 	10 	
8 	Olivier Panis 	9 	
9 	Rubens Barrichello 	6 	12
10 	Ralf Schumacher 	4 	1
11 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	4 	
12 	Johnny Herbert 	3 	2
13 	Jean Alesi 	3 	1
14 	Mika Salo 	2 	1
15 	Nicola Larini 	1 	2
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	38 	1
2 	 	30 	1
3 	 	20 	
4 	 	13 	
5 	 	9 	1
6 	 	8 	1
7 	 	6 	4
8 	 	4 	1
9 	 	2 	1
Only point scoring drivers and constructors are shown.
==References==
Images and Videos:
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References:
Category:Grand Prix articles
Category:Monaco Grand Prix
Category:1997 Grands Prix