1997 German Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Germany
Grand Prix = German
Date = July 27
Year = 1997


Race_No = 9
Season_No = 17
Location = Hockenheimring, Hockenheim, Baden-Württemberg, Germany
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 4.256
Course_km = 6.823
Distance_laps = 45
Distance_mi = 191.537
Distance_km = 307.035
Weather = Sunny, Dry Track
Pole_Driver = flagicon|Austria Gerhard Berger
Pole_Team = Benetton-Renault
Pole_Time = 1:41.873
Fast_Driver = flagicon|Austria Gerhard Berger
Fast_Team = Benetton-Renault
Fast_Time = 1:45.747
Fast_L

First_Driver = flagicon|Austria Gerhard Berger
First_Team = Benetton-Renault
Second_Driver = flagicon|Germany Michael Schumacher
Second_Team = Ferrari
Third_Driver = flagicon|Finland Mika Häkkinen
Third_Team = McLaren-Mercedes]

The 1997 German Grand Prix was a Formula One motor race held at Hockenheimring on July 27, 1997. It was won by Austrian driver Gerhard Berger in a Benetton. This race proved to be his final victory and final pole position, while he retired at the end of the season. Berger had missed the previous 3 races due to sinus problems, and the death of his father Johann. His countryman Alexander Wurz had deputised for 3 races. Despite beating local hero Michael Schumacher, Berger's win was well received by the crowd and the majority of the F1 world.

Giancarlo Fisichella took his first ever front-row start, and was challenging Berger for the win until he punctured a tyre on the debris of Jan Magnussen's blown engine. Ironically this same incident had helped him gain the lead, as the smoke from the engine delayed Berger prior to his pit stop. Fisichella only lead for two laps before Berger repassed him. After Fisichella broke down due to damage from the flailing tyre (caused while he tried to drive back to the pits), Michael Schumacher gave him a lift back to the pits after the race.

Championship leader Jacques Villenueve had a disastrous race, spinning off while trying to overtake rookie Jarno Trulli, thus losing championship ground to Schumacher. Their respective team-mates Eddie Irvine and Heinz Harald Frentzen collided at the first corner, with David Coulthard also forced out by damage from the incident.

Berger's last win was also Benetton's last win, just like Berger's first had been Benetton's first.

Classification

Qualifying

Race

Notes

*Fastest L

*Last win for both Benetton and Gerhard Berger.

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