1997 Hungarian Grand Prix

The 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix, otherwise officially known as the XIII Marlboro Magyar Nagydij, was the eleventh round of the FIA Formula One World Championship, held at the Hungaroring near Budapest, Hungary, on 10 August 1997.'Hungarian GP, 1997', grandprix.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.grandprix.com/gpe/rr608.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019) The race would see Jacques Villeneuve secure a rather fortunate victory, overtaking a limping Damon Hill on the final lap after the Brit suffered a hydraulic failure.
It was Championship leader Michael Schumacher who started the weekend the strongest, sweeping to pole position ahead of Villeneuve in qualifying. Hill, meanwhile, would claim a surprisingly strong third in the otherwise off-pace , with Bridgestone equipped cars particularly strong on the hard wearing circuit.
Sunday proved to be the warmest day of the weekend, meaning those on softer tyres, which incorporated almost all of the Goodyear runners, would struggle to maintain their tyres. As such, those on Bridgestones, as well as Heinz-Harald Frentzen on harder Goodyears, had the advantage, although it would all depend on their starts.
Ultimately Hill would make a strong start, sprinting ahead of Villeneuve to sit in second behind Schumacher. Elsewhere, Eddie Irvine streaked through to third, with Villeneuve slotting into fifth behind Mika Häkkinen, while Jean Alesi inadvertently forced teammate Gerhard Berger onto the grass through turn two.
Schumacher and Hill quickly established a gap over third placed Irvine, although the German racer was pushing his Goodyear shod far harder than Hill. Within six laps the Ferrari's rear tyres were showing signs of blistering, with Hill's Arrows remaining glued to its tail with no sign of weakness.
Indeed, come lap eleven Schumacher was in serious trouble, and was hence almost powerless to prevent Hill from sweeping past to claim the lead into turn one. The German racer would try, however, squeezing the Arrows-Yamaha right onto the white line on the inside of the right-hander, before ultimately relenting on the exit.
With that Hill was away, prompting Schumacher to come in for his first stop a few laps later, catching Ferrari out somewhat. Häkkinen duly took up the hunt of the Arrows, Irvine having stopped on lap seven for fresh rubber, although an engine failure for the left Villeneuve and Frentzen at the head of the pack.
Villeneuve began the pit sequence on lap 24, with Hill coming in a lap later to cover the Canadian's stop. Frentzen stayed out for four laps but his hopes were curtailed by a damaged fuel rig, meaning Hill was left with a handsome, and ever growing, lead over Villeneuve.
Hill duly escaped at a consistent rate from the lead , stopping for a second time on lap 51 without losing the lead. Indeed, as soon as his advantage had grown to thirty seconds the Brit began to pace himself against those behind him, with Arrows, Yamaha and Bridgestone looking set for their maiden victory.
That was, until the Brit's pace collapsed with two and a half laps to go, a hydraulic leak causing Hill's car to jam in third gear. Villeneuve hence began to close at a rapid rate, and duly charged past the weaving Arrows on the final lap as they headed out past the paddock.
With that the race was run, with Villeneuve streaking across the line to claim a surprise win, while Hill was a heartbroken second. Johnny Herbert secured a surprising third for , their best finish of the campaign, with Schumacher, Ralf Schumacher and Shinji Nakano claiming the remaining points.
==Background==
Michael Schumacher extended his Championship lead as a result of his podium finish, moving ten clear of Jacques Villeneuve in second. The Canadian racer was therefore still in prime position to attack, although his startling lack of pace in Germany suggested that all may not be well with the Canadian's title bid. Behind, Jean Alesi had retained third, Gerhard Berger had leapt into fourth with victory, while Heinz-Harald Frentzen slipped to fifth.
In the Constructors Championship had inched away from at the head of the hunt, leaving Germany nine ahead. The Anglo-French squad were still their closest challengers, while both had been slightly reeled in by , although they were still a fair way back. were in an increasingly distant fourth, while had just kept at bay to retain fifth.
===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 	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 	Gianni Morbidelli 	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:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Entrants', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2015), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/engages.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)
==Practice Overview==
==Qualifying==
===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 	 	1:14.672 	— 	191.391 km/h
2 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	1:14.859 	+0.187s 	190.823 km/h
3 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	1:15.044 	+0.372s 	190.352 km/h
4 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	1:15.140 	+0.468s 	190.109 km/h
5 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	1:15.424 	+0.752s 	189.393 km/h
6 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	1:15.520 	+0.848s 	189.153 km/h
7 	8 	Gerhard Berger 	 	1:15.699 	+1.027s 	188.705 km/h
8 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	1:15.705 	+1.033s 	188.690 km/h
9 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	1:15.905 	+1.233s 	188.193 km/h
10 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	1:16.138 	+1.466s 	187.617 km/h
11 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	1:16.138 	+1.466s 	187.617 km/h
12 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	1:16.297 	+1.625s 	187.226 km/h
13 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	1:16.300 	+1.628s 	187.219 km/h
14 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	1:16.686 	+2.014s 	186.277 km/h
15 	17 	Gianni Morbidelli 	 	1:16.766 	+2.094s 	186.082 km/h
16 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	1:16.784 	+2.112s 	186.039 km/h
17 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	1:16.858 	+2.186s 	185.860 km/h
18 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	1:17.095 	+2.423s 	185.288 km/h
19 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	1:17.118 	+2.446s 	185.223 km/h
20 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	1:17.232 	+2.560s 	184.960 km/h
21 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	1:17.482 	+2.810s 	184.363 km/h
22 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	1:18.020 	+3.348s 	183.092 km/h
107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899 	107% Time: 1:19.899
Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Marlboro Magyar Nagydij 1997 - QUALIFYING', formula1.com, (Formula One World Championship Ltd., 2019), https://www.formula1.com/en/results.html/1997/races/664/hungary/qualifying-0.html, (Accessed 22/08/2019)'Hungary 1997: Qualifications', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/qualification.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)
*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===
Jacques Villeneuve won the race after Damon Hill's slowed on the final laps while in the lead. This was the closest Arrows had ever came to scoring a victory, after Hill had led most of the Grand Prix.
On lap 42, Giancarlo Fisichella, who was behind Michael Schumacher, tried to overtake Michael, but he spun out coming into the 1st corner. He got stuck in the gravel trap and would retire from the race.
At the final lap of the race, Eddie Irvine was pushed off by Shinji Nakano en route to a points finish. Nakano would eventually be 6th.
===Results===
The full results for the are outlined below:
Pos. 	No. 	Driver 	Constructor 	Laps 	Time/Retired 	Grid 	Points
1 	3 	Jacques Villeneuve 	 	77 	1:45:47.149 	2 	10
2 	1 	Damon Hill 	 	77 	+9.079s 	3 	6
3 	16 	Johnny Herbert 	 	77 	+20.445s 	10 	4
4 	5 	Michael Schumacher 	 	77 	+30.501s 	1 	3
5 	11 	Ralf Schumacher 	 	77 	+30.715s 	14 	2
6 	15 	Shinji Nakano 	 	77 	+41.512s 	16 	1
7 	14 	Jarno Trulli 	 	77 	+1:15.552 	12 	
8 	8 	Gerhard Berger 	 	77 	+1:16.409 	7 	
9* 	6 	Eddie Irvine 	 	76 	Spun off 	5 	
10 	20 	Ukyo Katayama 	 	76 	+1 Lap 	20 	
11 	7 	Jean Alesi 	 	76 	+1 Lap 	9 	
12 	21 	Tarso Marques 	 	75 	+2 Laps 	22 	
13 	19 	Mika Salo 	 	75 	+2 Laps 	21 	
Ret 	10 	David Coulthard 	 	65 	Electrical 	8 	
Ret 	18 	Jos Verstappen 	 	61 	Gearbox 	18 	
Ret 	2 	Pedro Diniz 	 	53 	Electrical 	19 	
Ret 	12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	 	42 	Spun off 	13 	
Ret 	4 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	 	29 	Fuel leak 	6 	
Ret 	22 	Rubens Barrichello 	 	29 	Engine 	11 	
Ret 	9 	Mika Häkkinen 	 	12 	Hydraulics 	4 	
Ret 	17 	Gianni Morbidelli 	 	7 	Engine 	15 	
Ret 	23 	Jan Magnussen 	 	5 	Accident 	17 	
Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)	Source:'Hungary 1997: Result', statsf1.com, (Stats F1, 2016), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie/classement.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)
*T Indicates a driver used their test/spare car.
** Irvine was still classified despite retiring as he had completed 90% of the race distance.
==Milestones==
* Ninth victory for Jacques Villeneuve.'11. Hungary 1997', statsf1.com, (Inside F1 Inc., 2014), https://www.statsf1.com/en/1997/hongrie.aspx, (Accessed 22/08/2019)
* secured their 101st win as a constructor.
** 93rd win for a car using a engine.
** Also the 240th podium for a Renault engine.
* Damon Hill secured the eighth and final podium finish for an chassis.
** claimed their second and final podium as an engine supplier.
* Maiden podium for as an engine supplier.
* Heinz-Harald Frentzen recorded the 100th fastest lap to be set by a Renault engine.
==Standings==
Jacques Villeneuve used his fifth win of the season to close the gap to Michael Schumacher at the head of the Championship, leaving Hungary just three behind the German racer. Those two were now the only real contenders for the title, with Jean Alesi now 31 points behind Villeneuve, the equivalent to three race wins. The Frenchman was therefore in a fight to retain third, with six drivers covered by seven points in that particular squabble.
In the Constructors Championship it had been a positive day for , who were able to carve into 's lead. Indeed, Williams ended the afternoon just two points behind the Scuderia, with those two, like their lead drivers, set to duel for the crown amongst themselves. Behind, were in an increasingly lonely third, with a fair gap back to in fourth.
World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers	World Championship for Drivers
Pos. 	Driver 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	Michael Schumacher 	56 	
2 	Jacques Villeneuve 	53 	
3 	Jean Alesi 	22 	
4 	Gerhard Berger 	20 	
5 	Heinz-Harald Frentzen 	19 	
6 	Eddie Irvine 	18 	
7 	Olivier Panis 	15 	
8 	David Coulthard 	14 	
9 	Mika Häkkinen 	14 	
10 	Johnny Herbert 	11 	2
11 	Ralf Schumacher 	11 	1
12 	Giancarlo Fisichella 	8 	1
13 	Damon Hill 	7 	4
14 	Rubens Barrichello 	6 	1
15 	Alexander Wurz 	4 	1
16 	Jarno Trulli 	3 	1
17 	Mika Salo 	2 	1
18 	Shinji Nakano 	2 	1
19 	Nicola Larini 	1 	1
World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors	World Championship for Constructors
Pos. 	Team 	Pts. 	+/-
1 	 	74 	
2 	 	72 	
3 	 	46 	
4 	 	28 	
5 	 	20 	
6 	 	19 	
7 	 	12 	
8 	 	7 	2
9 	 	6 	1
10 	 	2 	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:Hungarian Grand Prix
Category:1997 Grands Prix