Portuguese Grand Prix

October 26, 1997 - Autodromo do Estoril - Estoril, Portugal

Jacques Villeneuve 1996 Winner

Past Winners

95-Coulthard

94-Hill

93-Schumacher

This time around, it was Jacques Villeneuve who struggled at the start while teammate Damon Hill got a strong start and assumed the lead. Twelve laps into the race, Hill had built up a 10 second lead and appeared headed for victory and the series championship.

Villeneuve set the fastest lap of the race on lap 22 and began his chase of Hill. The Canadian cut the margin down to one second before using the final series of pit stops to make his move. Hill pitted on lap 48 while Villeneuve made his stop on lap 49, exiting in front of his teammate. That's the way they would finish, as for the sixth time this year Williams claimed positions one-two on the podium.