Monoposto

Nº 26

Jacques Villeneuve

1997 World Champion

Rothmans Williams Renault

Overview

Jacques Joseph Charles Villeneuve, born in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec, on 9 April 1971, won the 1997 World Drivers' Championship with Williams, the first Canadian to do so.1 His father was the Formula One driver Gilles Villeneuve.1

He arrived in 1996 having won both the CART title and the Indianapolis 500 in 1995.1

1997

Seven wins, in a title decided by a collision

The European Grand Prix

He won seven races and took eight poles in the first 14 rounds, in a fight with Michael Schumacher that went to the last race.1 When the two collided at the European Grand Prix, Schumacher went into the gravel and Villeneuve drove on to third and the title.12

The FIA then removed Schumacher from the championship for causing an avoidable collision.5 Villeneuve finished on 81 points.3

Every Grand Prix finish, 1997

Numeral size follows the result. Round 1 at left.

Image plates

4 photographs, in season order

Helmet

The drawing shows his 1997 helmet.

A drawing of his 1997 design.

Auge=mit · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Background removed

Williams FW19

Adrian Newey left for McLaren before the season, and Geoff Willis finished his work on the FW19.4 It won eight races, and Williams kept the constructors' title with 123 points.4

The FW19 at the Williams Conference Centre.

Morio · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Engine
Renault RS9 V10
Technical director
Patrick Head
Team wins, both drivers
8
Team points
123

Road to the title

  1. 1995CART champion and Indianapolis 500 winner.1
  2. 1996Formula One debut with Williams, and first win at the European Grand Prix.1
  3. 1997World Drivers' Champion.1
  4. 1999–2003Raced for British American Racing.1
  5. 2005–06Raced for Sauber and BMW Sauber.1

Records

  • First Canadian world champion1

Sources