1997 European Grand Prix
| Race details | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 17 of 17 in the 1997 Formula One season | |||
 |
|||
| Date | 26 October 1997 | ||
| Official name | XLII European Grand Prix | ||
| Location |
Circuito Permanente de Jerez Jerez, Spain |
||
| Course | Permanent racing facility | ||
| Course length | 4.423 km (2.748 mi) | ||
| Distance | 69 laps, 305.187 km (189.612 mi) | ||
| Weather | Sunny with temperatures reaching up to 25 °C (77 °F) | ||
| Pole position | |||
| Driver | Williams-Renault | ||
| Time | 1:21.072 | ||
| Fastest lap | |||
| Driver |
 Heinz-Harald Frentzen
|
Williams-Renault | |
| Time | 1:23.135 on lap 30 | ||
| Podium | |||
| First | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Second | McLaren-Mercedes | ||
| Third | Williams-Renault | ||
The 1997 European Grand Prix (formally the XLII European Grand Prix) was a Formula One motor race held on 26 October 1997 at the Circuito Permanente de Jerez, Spain. Originally scheduled as the Grand Prix of Portugal at the Estoril circuit, it was moved when Estoril's management had financial difficulties. It was the 17th and final race of the 1997 Formula One season. The 69-lap race was won by Mika Häkkinen in a McLaren, his first Formula One race victory. His teammate David Coulthard finished second and Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve took third, which was sufficient for him to win the World Championship. As of 2016, these are Williams's last Drivers' and Constructors' World Championships.
Michael Schumacher, driving for Ferrari, had led the championship by a single point ahead of Villeneuve going into the race. During the race Villeneuve and Schumacher collided while battling for the lead and the resulting damage to Schumacher's car forced him to retire. The blame for the incident was later attributed to Schumacher by the sport's governing body, the FIA, and he was stripped of his second-place finish in the championship. Schumacher's tactics were widely criticised by the media, including publications based in his home country of Germany, and in Ferrari's home country of Italy.
Following the race Williams and McLaren were accused of colluding to decide the finishing order. Villeneuve stated that "it was better to let them through and win the World Championship". The FIA determined there was no evidence to support the claims, and dismissed the accusations.
Originally scheduled as the Grand Prix of Portugal at the Estoril circuit, the race was moved to the Jerez circuit when Estoril's management had financial difficulties. Jerez was chosen as the venue due to engine suppliers Renault stating their wish that the following Japanese Grand Prix would not be their last race.
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