Minardi M197

In late 1996, Minardi were acquired by a consortium led by Flavio Briatore including former Minardi driver Alessandro Nannini and Gabriele Rumi of Fondmetal. Giancarlo Minardi retained a minority shareholding of the team that bore his name.{{cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/nannini-and-minardi.html|title=Nannini and Minardi|publisher=Grand Prix|access-date=15 June 2022}}{{cite book |last=Vigar |first=Simon |date= 24 April 2008 |title= Forza Minardi!: The Inside Story of the Little Team That Took on the Giants of F1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9WKmFIoW8woC&dq=briatore+nannini+minardi+1996&pg=PA53 |publisher= Veloce Publishing Ltd |page=53 |isbn=978-1845841607}}

The M197 was developed by Minardi chief engineer Gabriele Tredozi, head of the drawing office Mauro Gennaro, and lead aerodynamicist Mariano Alperin. The M197 was developed heavily at Fondmetal's wind tunnel in Ferrara, Italy. Davide Colombo also joined the aerodynamics team from F3000. Although design and development work had begun in mid-1996, the decision to use Hart V8 engines for 1997 was made late leading to extensive redesign work on the car in preparation for the first Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/technical-analysis-minardi-hart-m197.html|title=Technical analysis: Minardi-Hart M197|publisher=Grand Prix|access-date=15 June 2022}}

Minardi launched the M197 on February 4, 1997. It was confirmed at the unveiling the 1997 drivers would be Ukyo Katayama and rookie Jarno Trulli. Tarso Marques was retained as a test driver{{cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/minardi-signs-trulli.html|title=Minardi signs Trulli|publisher=Grand Prix|access-date=15 June 2022}} At the launch, it was announced a partnership with Mild Seven.{{cite web|url=http://atlasf1.autosport.com/news/1997/333.htm|title=Minardi unveil the M 197; Frentzen has first test; New Sauber; Canadian GP|publisher=Atlas F1|access-date=15 June 2022}}

At the first Grand Prix in Australia, both drivers qualified well - ahead of both Tyrrells, both Arrows including that of reigning World Champion Damon Hill and both Lolas. Katayama would ultimately retire from the race, however Trulli finished in 9th.{{cite web|url=https://www.chicanef1.com/race.pl?year=1997&gp=Australian%20GP&r=1&type=qual|title=1997 Australian Grand Prix|publisher=Chicane F1|access-date=15 June 2022}} Trulli would go on to complete all of the first three Grand Prix, whilst more experienced team mate Katayama suffered two retirements. Trulli failed to start the San Marino Grand Prix due to a hydraulic failure. {{cite web|url=http://www.atlasf1.com/97/san/galvin.html|title=San Marino GP Review|publisher=Atlas F1|access-date=15 June 2022}}

Ahead of the 1997 French Grand Prix, Trulli left Minardi to join Prost Grand Prix and was replaced by Marques.{{cite web|url=https://www.grandprix.com/news/trulli-replaces-panis.html|title=Trulli replaces Panis|publisher=Grand Prix|access-date=15 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.forzaminardi.com/1997.php|title=1997|publisher=Forza Minardi|access-date=15 June 2022}} Neither Marques or Katayama would score a point during the remainder of the season. Marques was disqualified from the 1997 Austrian Grand Prix due to a weight infringement.{{cite web|url=https://www.racefans.net/2017/09/21/schumachers-yellow-flag-penalty-helps-villeneuve-slash-his-lead/|title=Schumacher's yellow flag penalty helps Villeneuve slash his points lead|date=21 September 2017 |publisher=Race Fans|access-date=15 June 2022}}

The team were unclassified in the Constructors' Championship, with no points. They were classified ahead of the Lola team, who withdrew from the championship after the first Grand Prix.{{cite web|url=https://www.statsf1.com/en/minardi-m197.aspx|title=Minardi M197|publisher=Stats F1|access-date=15 June 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://autosportworld.info/en/cars/minardi-m197-hart-830-av7-v8-30/|title=Race car Minardi M197 in motorsport. Full information|publisher=Autosport World|access-date=15 June 2022}}

The M197 was utilised by a number of drivers during test sessions. Alongside the three race drivers of Katayama, Trulli and Marques the M197 was tested by Esteban Tuero, Tom Kristensen, Luca Badoer, Laurent Redon and Oliver Martini.{{cite web|url=https://www.unracedf1.com/overview-formula-one-testing-in-1997/|title=Overview Formula One Testing In 1997|date=19 December 2021 |publisher=Unraced F1|access-date=15 June 2022}}

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The M197 featured a return to Minardi's colour scheme of black, yellow and white, used from 1988 to 1992. Fondmetal was one of the major sponsors, along with Mild Seven (brought by Katayama) and Roces.

Minardi used the 'Mild Seven' logos, except at the French, British and German Grands Prix.

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position)

{{Reflist}}

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

{{Minardi}}

{{F1 cars 1997}}

Category:Minardi Formula One cars

Category:1997 Formula One season cars