Schumacher Stripped of 1997 F1 Championship After Controversial Jerez Collision

Michael Schumacher was sensationally excluded from the 1997 F1 drivers' championship 28 years ago today, following a contentious on-track incident with Jacques Villeneuve at the season-deciding Jerez Grand Prix. The FIA's unprecedented punishment reshaped F1 history, denying Schumacher his runner-up position and cementing Villeneuve's maiden title.

Why it matters:

After years of intense competition between Ferrari and Williams, the 1997 F1 season culminated in a dramatic showdown at Jerez. Schumacher's actions not only cost him the championship but also led to a landmark FIA ruling that questioned sporting integrity and left a lasting impact on his legacy. This incident remains one of Formula 1's most talked-about controversies, highlighting the fine line between aggressive racing and unsporting conduct.

The Details:

• Jerez Showdown: Schumacher arrived at the 1997 European Grand Prix with a one-point lead over Villeneuve, making the final race a winner-take-all contest.
• The Collision: On lap 48, Villeneuve attempted an overtake on Schumacher at Dry Sack corner. Schumacher turned into Villeneuve's Williams, sending his own Ferrari into the gravel and ending his championship challenge.
• Villeneuve Secures Title: Despite the contact, Villeneuve's car remained drivable, and he finished third, securing the points needed to claim his first world championship.
• Initial Ruling: Race stewards initially deemed it a 'racing incident,' taking no action against Schumacher. This decision was met with skepticism, as replays suggested a deliberate attempt to eliminate his rival, echoing a similar incident with Damon Hill in 1994.
• FIA Intervention: Two weeks later, the FIA World Motorsport Council, led by President Max Mosley, reviewed the incident. They concluded that Schumacher's maneuver was deliberate but 'not made with malice or premeditation.'
• Unprecedented Penalty: On November 11, 1997, the FIA announced its verdict: Schumacher was excluded from the final results of the 1997 drivers' championship. He retained his five race victories and points for statistical purposes, but his championship standing was nullified.
• Unusual Sanction: Instead of a fine or race ban, the FIA mandated Schumacher's participation in a seven-day road safety campaign during 1998, an unconventional punishment aimed at public benefit.

The Aftermath:

Schumacher's exclusion elevated Heinz-Harald Frentzen to second place in the final standings, completing a Williams one-two. Ferrari retained its constructors' points, finishing second to Williams. The incident solidified the perception of Schumacher as a driver willing to push boundaries to win championships, a reputation that would follow him even as he achieved unprecedented success with Ferrari in the following years.