Minardi M197

Minardi M197
{{{Logo}}}
Category	Formula One
Constructor	Minardi
Designer	Gabriele Tredozi
Chassis	carbon-fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	double wishbones, pushrod
Suspension (rear)	as front
Engine	Hart 830 3-litre 72° V8 normally aspirated
Transmission	Minardi/Xtrac six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Fuel	Petroscience
Tyres	Bridgestone
Notable entrants	Minardi Team
Notable drivers	20. Ukyo Katayama 21. Jarno Trulli & Tarso Marques
Debut	1997 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed	17
Race victories	0
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0
Pole positions	0
Fastest laps	0

The Minardi M197 was the car with which the Minardi Formula One team competed in the 1997 Formula One season. It was initially driven by Ukyo Katayama, who moved from Tyrrell, and Jarno Trulli, the reigning German Formula Three champion. However, Trulli would be called up to Prost Grand Prix following Olivier Panis' serious accident in Montréal, and the team would select part-time 1996 driver Tarso Marques to take over his vacated seat.

The year saw investment from Fondmetal, ensuring the team's budget, but the car was unresponsive. Combined with an underpowered (albeit well-prepared) V8 engine from Brian Hart, it left the team at the bottom of the grid, although the newly-acquired Bridgestone tyres did allow them to occasionally challenge Tyrrell. Minardi also had the satisfaction of comfortably beating debutants MasterCard Lola, despite the British team's experience in motor racing.

The team were unclassified in the Constructors' Championship, with no points.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

Year	Team	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
1997	Minardi	Hart V8	B		AUS	BRA	ARG	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	AUT	LUX	JPN	EUR	0	NC
				Jarno Trulli	9	12	9	DNS	Ret	15	Ret
				Tarso Marques								Ret	10	Ret	12	Ret	14	EX	Ret	Ret	15
				Ukyo Katayama	Ret	18	Ret	11	10	Ret	Ret	11	Ret	Ret	10	14	Ret	11	Ret	Ret	17

References

• AUTOCOURSE 1997-98, Henry, Alan (ed.), Hazleton Publishing Ltd. (1997) ISBN 1-874557-47-0