1997 French Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = France
Grand Prix = French
Date = June 29
Year = 1997

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Official name =
Race_No = 8
Season_No = 17
Location = Circuit de Nevers, Magny-Cours, France
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 2.649
Course_km = 4.247
Distance_laps = 72
Distance_mi = 190.757
Distance_km = 305.784
Weather = Rain
Pole_Driver = Michael Schumacher
Pole_Team = Ferrari
Pole_Time = 1:14.548
Pole_Country = Germany
Fast_Driver = Michael Schumacher
Fast_Team = Ferrari
Fast_Time = 1:17.910
Fast_Country = Germany
First_Driver = Michael Schumacher
First_Team = Ferrari
First_Country = Germany
Second_Driver = Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Second_Team = Williams-Renault
Second_Country= Germany
Third_Driver = Eddie Irvine
Third_Team = Ferrari
Third_Country = United KingdomResults from the 1997 Formula One French Grand Prix held at Magny-Cours on June 29, 1997.

Race Summary

At the start Michael Schumacher led away from pole with Frentzen in the Williams behind him all the way. It was a bad start for Damon Hill who lost his wing at the first corner after going off and didn't feature much after that.

Not to much happened in the race until towards the end rain hit causing some drivers to spin off, even Michael Schumacher had an off but managed to continue and maintained his big lead, but he did not pit for wet tyres.

In the end Michael crossed the line well ahead of Frentzen but on the last couple of laps a huge battle was going on between Ralf Schumacher, David Coulthard and Jean Alesi. At the same time Jaques Villeneuve was reeling in Eddie Irvine for the final podium spot.

Ralf Schumacher spun seemingly throwing away 6th place but as mentioned in the notes, Michael Schumacher who had lapped him, allowed him back through at the final corner, at the time Murray Walker famously said it was a silly move, but really it was all part of Schumacher's brilliance.

On the last lap Alesi pushed Coulthard straight off costing David 5th place and thus giving Ralf Schumacher the final point.

Meanwhile at the last corner Villenuve had caught Irvine, in a desperate lunge at the final corner he spun off, rejoining somehow holding off Alesi at the flag.

Classification

Qualifying

Race

Notes

*Fastest L

*Michael allowed his brother Ralf to overtake him and unlap himself on the last corner, Ralf subsequently gained the last point of the day as a result rising from 7th to 6th after Jean Alesi ran David Coulthard off the road.
*Jarno Trulli switched from Minardi to Prost replacing the injured Panis
*Trulli's seat at Minardi went to Tarso Marques.
*Norberto Fontana replaced Gianni Morbidelli at Sauber, Morbidelli was suffering from a broken arm.

F1 race report
Name_of_race = French Grand Prix | Year_of_race = 1997
Previous_race_in_season = 1997 Canadian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1997 British Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1996 French Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1998 French Grand Prix