The start of the qualification was very ...

Published on 24 May 1997 by Verstappen Info Page

The start of the qualification was very busy. Under the pressure of possible rain, most cars drove their first laps directly after the start of the qualification. The rain how ever stayed away during the complete session. It looked as if Frentzen would take pole, however during his last session, Villeneuve took pole in 1:16.525. Frentzen ended second in 1:16.791. Both McLarens appeared to be competative agan with Coulthard on third and Hakkinen on fifth. Also the Bennetons feel more at home at Barcelona with Alesi on fourth and Berger on position 6. Michael Schumacher had a disapointing qualification. He blew up his engine and could not score better then position 7 in his T-car.

For Jos, the new ED5 motor was build in his car in between the free practice and the qualifying session. However the car was not ready yet at the start of the qualifying, so he drove the T car in his first session with the ED4 motor. During the other three sessions with the new ED5 motor he was able to improve his lap times every session to finally 1:20.582 which brought him to position 19. Salo However had a difficult start since there was an electronic problem with his car he had to wait more then half an hour before he could enter the track. At the end of qualification he drove a lap time of 1:20.079 which brings him to position 14 on the start grid.

For a complete list with all times of the first free session you can take a look at our season page.