1997 Austrian Grand Prix

Infobox Grand Prix race report
Type = F1
Country = Austria
Grand Prix = Austrian
Date = September 21
Year = 1997


Race_No = 14
Season_No = 17
Location = A1-Ring, Spielberg, Austria
Course = Permanent racing facility
Course_mi = 2.697
Course_km = 4.323
Distance_laps = 71
Distance_mi = 191.474
Distance_km = 306.933
Weather = Dry
Pole_Driver = flagicon|Canada Jacques Villeneuve
Pole_Team = Williams-Renault
Pole_Time = 1:10.304
Fast_Driver = flagicon|Canada Jacques Villeneuve
Fast_Team = Williams-Renault
Fast_Time = 1:11.814
Fast_L

First_Driver = flagicon|Canada Jacques Villeneuve
First_Team = Williams-Renault
Second_Driver = flagicon|UK David Coulthard
Second_Team = McLaren-Mercedes
Third_Driver = flagicon|Germany Heinz-Harald Frentzen
Third_Team = Williams-RenaultResults from the 1997 Formula One Austrian Grand Prix held at A1-Ring on September 21, 1997. Qualifying threw up a few surprises, as the Bridgestone tyres used by several smaller teams proved strong, but it was ultimately Jacques Villeneuve who won. Mika Häkkinen had been leading Villeneuve after the start but his engine failed yet again, before he even managed to complete the first lap. Jarno Trulli lead the early laps as a result, and was running 2nd (though still needing to make another pitstop) when his engine also failed.

A spectacular collision occurred between Eddie Irvine and Jean Alesi. As they battled for 4th place on lap 37, Alesi tried to outbrake Irvine into the chicane from approximately eight car-lengths behind, and as Irvine took evasive action, the Frenchman drove into the Irishman's car at such speed that Alesi's car went over the top of Irvine's while the latter was pitched into a spin. Alesi was placed under investigation by the stewards for dangerous driving after the race, although no charges were formally brought against either driver.

Michael Schumacher ran as high as 3rd, but received a stop-go penalty for overtaking Heinz-Harald Frentzen under yellow flags. Schumacher claimed he had not seen them, and TV footage suggested that they were not visible on the inside of the corner, where Michael would have been looking as he made the move.

Classification

Notes

*Fastest L

*Last Fastest L

F1 race report
Name_of_race = Austrian Grand Prix | Year_of_race = 1997
Previous_race_in_season = 1997 Italian Grand Prix
Next_race_in_season = 1997 Luxembourg Grand Prix
Previous_year's_race = 1987 Austrian Grand Prix
Next_year's_race = 1998 Austrian Grand Prix