Benetton B197

Benetton B197

Category	Formula One
Constructor	Benetton
Team/s	Mild Seven Benetton Renault
Designers	Pat Symonds Nick Wirth
Drivers	7. Jean Alesi 8. Gerhard Berger & Alexander Wurz
Chassis	carbon-fibre and honeycomb composite structure
Suspension (front)	double wishbones, pushrod, triple damper
Suspension (rear)	double wishbones, pushrod, double damper
Engines	Renault RS9, RS9A and RS9B 71-degree V10s
Gearbox	Benetton six-speed longitudinal semi-automatic
Fuel	Agip
Tyres	Goodyear
Debut	1997 Australian Grand Prix
Races competed	17
Constructors' Championships	0
Drivers' Championships	0
Race victories	1
Pole positions	2
Fastest laps	2

The Benetton B197 was the car with which the Benetton Formula One team competed in the 1997 Formula One season. It was driven by Jean Alesi and Gerhard Berger, who were both in their second season with the team. However, Berger was forced to sit out three races in the middle of the season due to sinus problems, and compatriot Alexander Wurz made his F1 début by deputising for him, starting at the 1997 Canadian Grand Prix.

The car was a development of the B196, which both drivers had found difficult to extract maximum performance from in 1996. The B197 proved competitive at nearly every race, but only scored one win when Berger made his faultless return to the cockpit at Hockenheim. The main problem with the car was its inability to bring its tyres up to temperature on low-grip circuits, particularly in qualifying. However, Berger and Alesi did secure one pole position each during the course of the season. By the end of the season, it was clear that Benetton would adopt a new driver line-up for 1998, with Berger retiring and Alesi moving to Sauber.

The team eventually finished third in the Constructors' Championship, with 67 points.

The B197 being driven by Alexander Wurz at the 1997 British Grand Prix.

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	Benetton	Renault V10	G		AUS	BRA	ARG	SMR	MON	ESP	CAN	FRA	GBR	GER	HUN	BEL	ITA	AUT	LUX	JPN	EUR	67	3rd
				Jean Alesi	Ret	6	7	5	Ret	3	2	5	2	6	11	8	2	Ret	2	5	13
				Gerhard Berger	4	2	6	Ret	9	10	Inj	Inj	Inj	1	8	6	7	10	4	8	4
				Alexander Wurz							Ret	Ret	3

References

• AUTOCOURSE 1997-98, Henry, Alan (ed.), Hazleton Publishing Ltd. (1997) ISBN 978-1-874557-47-0