The 1997 Belgian Grand Prix was the first Formula One World Championship race to start behind a Safety Car, with Schumacher extending his title lead.
Key Facts
- Race winner
- Michael Schumacher (Ferrari)
- Number of laps
- 44 laps
- Championship round
- 12th of 1997 season
- Pole position
- Jacques Villeneuve (Williams-Renault)
- Championship lead after race
- Schumacher led Villeneuve by 11 points
- First Safety Car start
- First F1 World Championship race started behind Safety Car
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The 1997 Formula One World Championship was at a critical stage, with Michael Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve locked in a close title battle. Villeneuve secured pole position at Spa-Francorchamps, while race conditions prompted the use of a Safety Car at the start for the first time in championship history.
Held on 24 August 1997 at Spa-Francorchamps, the 44-lap race was won by Michael Schumacher in a Ferrari. Giancarlo Fisichella finished second for Jordan-Peugeot, with Heinz-Harald Frentzen third after Mika Häkkinen was disqualified for a fuel irregularity. Villeneuve, starting from pole, finished fifth.
Schumacher extended his Drivers' Championship lead over Villeneuve to 11 points with five races remaining, strengthening his title position. The race also set a precedent as the first Formula One World Championship event to begin from behind a Safety Car, influencing future race-start procedures.