Japan: Suzuka - October 12, 1997
Eddie Irvine came third in the race, but was the hero of a thrilling day at Suzuka. The Irishman, so often kept out of the limelight by his Ferrari teammate Michael Schumacher, was heralded by the German, who came home first, to take 10 championship points.
On a track he knows extremely well, Irvine made a dramatic jump up the order to lead early in the race. Having got out in front he pulled away from the pack. His performance was equalled by Ferrari's tactical prowess. Irvine let Schumacher pass him and held up Villeneuve long enough to guarantee 10 points for the twice world champion. Irvine was rewarded by third place on the podium and gratitude from the Ferrari team.
Villeneuve came in fifth, but his Williams partner Heinz-Harald Frentzen stormed through to secure second place. His six constructors points gave Williams the Constructors' Championship title with an unassailable 120 points.
Right from qualifying on Saturday it was not Villeneuve's race. He raced under the shadow of an appeal against a ban for ignoring a yellow flag in qualifying. The appeal hearing was to be held nine days after the race. Williams were warned against pursuing the appeal, and backed off, accepting instead the loss of Villeneuve's points.
The Canadian will go into the climactic showdown of the season one point behind Michael Schumacher in the Drivers Championship. After losing out to Damon Hill in the last race last year, he will be eager to overcome Schumacher.
However, both drivers know that the spectre of Adelaide in 1994 hangs over their heads. It was then that Damon Hill could have won the championship if he had finished ahead of Michael Schumacher. Instead Hill finished the race in a gravel pit after a 'coming together' with Schumacher - the man who then became World Champion.
1 Michael Schumacher, Ferrari;
2 H-H Frentzen, Williams;
3 E Irvine, Ferrari;
4 M Hakkinen, McLaren;
5 J Alesi, Benetton;
6 J Herbert, Sauber.
Spain: Jerez - October 26, 1997
The Canadian driver, Jacques Villeneuve, won his first Formula One World Championship in a dramatic last race of the season -- the European Grand Prix at Jerez in Spain.
Villeneuve took the lead after a collision with the championship leader, Michael Schumacher of Germany, with two-thirds of the race completed.
The collision forced Schumacher out of the race, and appeared also to affect Villeneuve's car. He had slipped to third place by the end -- but this still earned him enough points for the title.
The winner was Mika Hakkinen of Finland, gaining his first grand prix victory.
David Coulthard of Britain was second.
1 Mika Hakkinen - McLaren Mercedes
2 David Coulthard - McLaren Mercedes
3 Jacques Villeneuve - Williams Renault
4 Gerhard Berger - Benetton Renault
5 Eddie Irvine - Ferrari
6 Heinz-Harald Frentzen - Williams Renault