Monaco Grand Prix 1997 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Michael Schumacher delivered a masterclass around the streets of Monaco, dominating from start to finish to claim Ferrari's first victory of 1997. Starting from second on the grid behind Heinz-Harald Frentzen's Williams, Schumacher seized the lead at the start and never looked back, demonstrating the precision and concentration required to win at Formula 1's most demanding circuit. Rubens Barrichello claimed a surprise second place for Stewart-Ford, the new team's first podium finish in only their fifth race, while Eddie Irvine completed the podium for Ferrari with third place.

The victory was particularly sweet for Ferrari and Schumacher, who had endured a difficult start to the season with reliability problems. Schumacher's Monaco win showcased his supreme car control and ability to extract maximum performance from his Ferrari around the tight street circuit, a track where driver skill matters more than raw speed. The result brought Ferrari back into championship contention and proved they could beat Williams when everything came together, setting up an intriguing battle for the rest of the season.