The 1997 European Grand Prix at Jerez can be seen as a defining race in one of Michael Schumacher's great rivalries - but not the one you may think. While it was the final, futile act in Schumacher's fight against Jacques Villeneuve, the race also gave rise to the man he would later call "the best opponent I've had".
Mika Hakkinen had been at risk of fading into F1 'nearlyman' territory nearing the end of the 1997 season. Seven years on from his titanic tussle with Schumacher at the Macau Grand Prix, the Finn had enjoyed a solid grand prix career as a podium regular for McLaren.
But he had enjoyed nothing like the success of Schumacher, who arrived in Jerez targeting a third world title and a first with Ferrari, its own drought dating back to Jody Scheckter's championship win in 1979.