Which Formula 1 driver won the 1997 World Drivers’ Championship in his second full season?

Jacques Villeneuve won the 1997 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship in his second full season.

Villeneuve drove for Williams-Renault and won seven Grands Prix, including the opening race in Australia. He entered the final event in Jerez only one point behind Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher. During the race, Schumacher attempted to defend against Villeneuve and collided with him; Schumacher retired, while Villeneuve continued and finished third to secure the title.

Villeneuve’s championship made him the first Canadian Formula 1 world champion. He had finished runner-up to teammate Damon Hill in his 1996 rookie season, when he won four races. His rapid rise followed his 1995 Indianapolis 500 victory and CART championship.

The 1997 result is sometimes confused with Damon Hill’s 1996 title, the previous Williams championship. Villeneuve was Williams’ final drivers’ champion to date and the last champion produced by the team’s dominant 1990s period.