'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Michael Schumacher remains the only name in the history of Formula One to be disqualified from an entire championship season.
In 1997, Schumacher achieved a feat that has never been repeated in the history of the sport. In November of that year, it was officially confirmed that the Ferrari driver would be stripped of his runner-up finish in the standings. But what went wrong? How did a controversial incident of this magnitude unfold? Follow along as we relive the historic event.
The German driver, who had won the world championship twice in a row in 1994 and 1995 with Williams, was signed by Scuderia Ferrari in 1996. Whilst he struggled to make an impact in the first season, Schumacher appeared to be on course to clinch his third world championship.
However, the pivotal moment that triggered Schumacher's disqualification unraveled at the European Grand Prix. The race, held at Jerez, was the 1997 F1 championship season finale. Going into the race, Michael Schumacher, and his then-rival Jacques Villeneuve, were engaged in a neck-to-neck championship battle, with nothing but a single point separating the two in the standings.
As Schumacher aimed to finally clinch an F1 Championship and end Ferrari's title drought, tensions were high across the circuit between the two drivers. Starting from the second position in the race behind Villeneuve, the Ferrari driver took the lead early on at Turn 1.
The critical incident occurred on lap 48 when Villeneuve attempted to overtake Schumacher for the lead. The two cars went side by side into the tight Dry Sac corner, and in a controversial move, Schumacher turned into Villeneuve's car, causing a collision.
The collision had severe consequences for Michael Schumacher. His Ferrari sustained damage, and he retired from the race. Villeneuve, on the other hand, managed to continue and secure enough points to win the championship. The Williams driver finished third behind Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard, becoming the first Canadian driver to win the F1 world championship.
The Michael Schumacher-Jacques Villeneuve incident from Lap 48, however, was immediately scrutinized by race stewards. It became clear that Schumacher's actions were in violation of the rules.
The FIA (Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile), the governing body of Formula 1, conducted an investigation into the incident, and in the end, the decision was made to disqualify Michael Schumacher from the entire 1997 F1 Championship. This ruling had a profound impact on the final standings, with Villeneuve officially declared the champion.
The disqualification was based on Schumacher's breach of sporting regulations. According to the FIA, Schumacher's actions during the European Grand Prix were deemed as "deliberate" and "intentional." The rules explicitly prohibited any maneuver deemed to be "dangerous," and Schumacher's attempt to collide with Villeneuve fell squarely within this category.
The FIA justified the disqualification by emphasizing the need to maintain the integrity of the sport and ensure fair competition, and as a result, Schumacher's actions were seen as a blatant attempt to prevent Villeneuve from challenging for the championship, and such unsportsmanlike behavior was deemed unacceptable.
What was the aftermath of Michael Schumacher's disqualification from the 1997 F1 Championship?
The fallout from Schumacher's disqualification extended beyond the championship standings. The incident stirred debates within the F1 community and among fans worldwide. Some defended Schumacher, arguing that the aggressive tactics were part of the sport's competitive nature, whereas others condemned his actions, emphasizing the importance of fair play and adherence to the rules.
Michael Schumacher himself expressed regret for his actions in the aftermath of the incident. He acknowledged that the collision was a mistake and accepted the consequences of the FIA's decision. He stated after the hearing (via BBC):
"It was something not very easy to live with. Two or three days after the race I really started to struggle with it and had some bad nights sleeping and accepting what I had done, which is not usual for myself, but obviously I am as much a human being as anyone."
He added:
"We have learnt. We have made mistakes. But we will become stronger and I hope we will become better in the future."
Despite the controversy, Schumacher's reputation as one of the greatest F1 drivers remained largely intact, with many attributing the incident to the intense pressure of the championship battle.
The 1997 season and Schumacher's disqualification also highlighted the broader issues within the sport, including the role of team dynamics. Ferrari, eager for championship success, faced criticism for its handling of the situation. Some argued that the team should have discouraged Schumacher from engaging in risky maneuvers that could jeopardize the championship bid.
Although Michael Schumacher went on to achieve further success in Formula 1 in the years following the 1997 season, securing additional championships with Ferrari, the events of that fateful race at Jerez remained a defining moment in his career.
