1997 Brazilian Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Brazil
Grand Prix = Brazilian
Race_No = 2
Season_No = 17
Year = 1997


Official name = XXVI Grande Prêmio do Brasil
Date = March 30
Location = Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace, São Paulo, Brazil
Course = Permanent Racing Facility
Course_mi = 2.867
Course_km = 4.292
Distance_laps = 72
Distance_mi = 206.424
Distance_km = 309.024
Scheduled_laps=
Scheduled_mi =
Scheduled_km =
Weather = Overcast, Dry
Pole_Country = Canada
Pole_Driver = Jacques Villeneuve
Pole_Team = Williams-Renault
Pole_Time = 1:16.004
Fast_Country = Canada
Fast_Driver = Jacques Villeneuve
Fast_Team = Williams-Renault
Fast_Time = 1:18.397
Fast_L

First_Country = Canada
First_Driver = Jacques Villeneuve
First_Team = Williams-Renault
Second_Country= Austria
Second_Driver = Gerhard Berger
Second_Team = Benetton-Renault
Third_Country = France
Third_Driver = Olivier Panis
Third_Team = Prost-Mugen-Honda

The 1997 Brazilian Grand Prix was a Formula One race held at Autódromo José Carlos Pace near Interlagos, Brazil on March 30, 1997. It was the second race of the 1997 Formula One Season.

Summary

Pre-Race

Between the Australian and Brazilian grands prix, Mastercard withdrew their sponsorship from the Lola team. This meant that sponsorless cars were shipped to Brazil. However, they were forced to stay in the garage for the weekend as there was no longer any money for the team. After the race the team officially resigned from the championship.

Qualifying

Jacques Villeneuve took his second consecutive, and his career fifth, pole position after a 1:16.004, over half a second faster than Michael Schumacher in second. Gerhard Berger and Mika Häkkinen completed the second row.

Race

As in Australia, Jacques Villeneuve once again went off the track at the first corner, along with many other cars including Hill, after a chaotic start to the grand prix. The race was subsequently red flaged. Eddie Irvine was once again being talked about after collision with Magnussen put the Dane out of the race. The race was restarted with all 72 laps still remaining. Villeneuve learnt his lesson and was clean away second time round. After the first lap Villeneuve was leading, followed by Berger. These positions would stay the same throughout the race, apart from during the pit stop window, with Olivier Panis finishing in the final podium position. Damon Hill was once again effected by reliabiity issues with his engine failing with 4 laps remianing. He was running in a strong 4th place at one point, but had slipped down the field before retiring in the pits, the engine aflame. Australian Grand Prix winner David Coulthard was off the pace and finished in 10th place.

Classification

Qualifying

Race

Notes

Race Note
*Race stopped after first lap accident and restarted for total original distance.
*Jan Magnussen did not take the race restart.
*Both Lola cars withdrew for financial reasons and took no further part in the seasonMilestones: Eddie Irvine 50th Race entry; Damon Hill 75th Race entry; Rothmans Williams-Renault 100th Race entry and 25th Win.

References

Race Details
cite web
last=
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title=1997 Brazilian GP
work=Chicane F1
publisher=
date=
url=http://www.chicanef1.com/race.pl?year=1997&gp=Brazilian%20GP&type=fast
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accessdate= 2007-08-03

Classification
"Qualifying"
cite web
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
title=1997 Brazilian GP Qualifying
work=Chicane F1
publisher=
date=
url=http://www.chicanef1.com/race.pl?year=1997&gp=Brazilian%20GP&type=qual
format=
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accessdate= 2007-08-03

"Race"
cite web
last=
first=
authorlink=
coauthors=
title=1997 Brazilian GP Race
work=Official Formula One Website
publisher=
date=
url=http://www.formula1.com/results/season/1997/148/
format=
doi=
accessdate= 2007-08-04

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Brazilian Grand Prix
Year_of_race = 1997
Previous_race_in_season = 1997 Australian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1997 Argentine Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1996 Brazilian Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1998 Brazilian Grand Prix