Jacques Villeneuve's victory cut Michael Schumacher's Drivers' Championship lead to three points, setting up a tense 1997 title battle.
Key Facts
- Race laps
- 77
- Winner
- Jacques Villeneuve (Williams-Renault)
- Season race number
- 11th race of 1997 F1 season
- Villeneuve season wins
- 5
- Championship gap after race
- Villeneuve within 3 points of Schumacher
- Arrows team milestone
- Closest ever to a Grand Prix victory; final podium
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Damon Hill, driving an uncompetitive Arrows-Yamaha, had qualified third behind Schumacher and Villeneuve and led the race for most of its 77 laps. His car had shown rare pace, but the Arrows suffered mechanical fragility throughout the 1997 season, leaving the result in doubt as the race neared its conclusion.
The 1997 Hungarian Grand Prix was held at the Hungaroring on 10 August 1997. Hill led comfortably until a hydraulic failure on the final lap allowed Villeneuve to pass him and take victory. Damon Hill finished second and Johnny Herbert third, giving Arrows their closest-ever approach to a race win and their last podium finish.
Villeneuve's win moved him to within three points of championship leader Schumacher, who had only finished fourth, dramatically tightening the Drivers' Championship title fight. The result proved to be the high point for the Arrows team in Formula One, as they never again reached the podium. Shinji Nakano also scored the final world championship points of his career at this race.