The car that kickstarted Jordan's giantkilling
Later this year will be the 20th anniversary of Jordan's first win in Formula 1. It really should have celebrated that milestone already - though the 197 never won a grand prix, it laid the foundations for the success that followed
The Jordan 197 was strong right out of the box and was good enough to win on the right weekend if everyone did a good job. At the initial Jerez test the car wasn't quite ready, so Ralf Schumacher, who was a rookie for 1997, got some mileage in the '96 car.
Then he got in the 197 and, after the shakedown laps, on his first proper run he found it was a massive improvement in terms of performance and driveability. When he came in he had a huge smile on his face.
Ask Gary: Is there value in crossovers like Hamilton/Rossi?
Ask Gary: Is there value in crossovers like Hamilton/Rossi? Ask Gary: Is there value in crossovers like Hamilton/Rossi?
Gary Anderson: How F1's 'privateers' really fared in 2019
Gary Anderson: How F1's 'privateers' really fared in 2019 Gary Anderson: How F1's 'privateers' really fared in 2019
F1's 'big four' teams' real 2019 performance levels revealed
F1's 'big four' teams' real 2019 performance levels revealed F1's 'big four' teams' real 2019 performance levels revealed
What F1 learned from Ferrari's fuel breach
What F1 learned from Ferrari's fuel breach What F1 learned from Ferrari's fuel breach
Ask Gary: Will the 2021 rules mean a Mercedes car concept change?
Ask Gary: Will the 2021 rules mean a Mercedes car concept change? Ask Gary: Will the 2021 rules mean a Mercedes car concept change?
Where did Red Bull-Honda's pace come from?
Where did Red Bull-Honda's pace come from? Where did Red Bull-Honda's pace come from?
Will Wolff's absence affect Mercedes in Brazil?
Will Wolff's absence affect Mercedes in Brazil? Will Wolff's absence affect Mercedes in Brazil?
F1's prescriptive 2021 rules will only cause design convergence
F1's prescriptive 2021 rules will only cause design convergence F1's prescriptive 2021 rules will only cause design convergence
How Indian heritage props up MotoGP's leading championship contenders
How Indian heritage props up MotoGP's leading championship contenders How Indian heritage props up MotoGP's leading championship contenders
First EA SPORTS WRC gameplay showcases expansive locations
First EA SPORTS WRC gameplay showcases expansive locations First EA SPORTS WRC gameplay showcases expansive locations
Hyderabad set to drop from Formula E calendar in 2024
Hyderabad set to drop from Formula E calendar in 2024 Hyderabad set to drop from Formula E calendar in 2024
Why Denny Hamlin has embraced becoming NASCAR's villain
Why Denny Hamlin has embraced becoming NASCAR's villain Why Denny Hamlin has embraced becoming NASCAR's villain
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge Why precedent doesn’t favour Massa’s F1 legal challenge
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius Why Sainz’s Singapore F1 success was not just about DRS genius
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP The signs that suggest an immediate Red Bull resurgence in F1's Japanese GP
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake The lessons Russell can take from his "two-centimetre" Singapore F1 mistake
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Singapore Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak The Singapore secrets that helped Sainz end Verstappen's F1 winning streak
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks How a McLaren winner overshadowed by scandal was dealt self-inflicted setbacks
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements The numbers that reveal F1's aerodynamic efficiency improvements
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.