SUPERGRID 1997

The SuperGrid is based on a driver's average grid times and positions. Drivers who did not set a qualifying time for every race do not qualify for the SuperGrid. This is in accordance with John Taylor's original SuperGrid.

In the case of drivers who have their qualifying times disallowed but were allowed to start, their original (disallowed) times are included if for no other reasons than it is impossible to arrive at any other reasonable time. However, for the purposes of position on the SuperGrid, their positions are set at the back of the grid.

The lap distance for the 1997 SuperGrid - the total of one lap of each of the 17 circuits - is expected to be 83.317 kilometres.

With Jacques Villeneuve taking pole for the fourth 1997 Grand Prix in a row, his position on the pole of the 1997 SuperGrid, both on position and time, is fairly secure for now ... to say the least.

It may be a little early in the season, but the record for the most poles in a season is held by Nigel Mansell (1992, 14 poles out of 16 races). A record that is closer for Villeneuve is that of successive poles. Since he took pole at the 1996 Japanese GP, Villeneuve now has 5 poles in succession - the record is 8 by Ayrton Senna (1988/89).

Further down the SuperGrid table, Michael Schumacher and Heinz-Harald Frentzen seem to be the only contenders for the other "front row" spot, although it is pleasing to see that Olivier Panis is almost as close to Schumacher as Schumacher is to Frentzen. The cars and drivers of the Ferraris, the McLarens, the Benettons and the Tyrrells seem to be fairly evenly matched, while in the other teams there seems to be some disparity.

So far as equipment is concerned, the Williams chassis, the Renault engine and Goodyear tyres are currently the best. The Williams cars have an average grid position of 2.25 (1m23.764), the Renaults 5.81 (1m24.658) and the Goodyears 9.46 (1m25.392) respectively.

This SuperGrid is sorted by time.

SUPERRACE 1997

The SuperRace is based on each driver's race performances. All drivers who participate in a race are included.

Drivers who did not actually start a race have no data recorded for that race (eg. Hill in Australia), while drivers who retire on the first lap are credited with zero time and distance. Drivers who are disqualified in a race have their position set at "last", but are credited with their distance and time.

The total distance for the 1997 SuperRace - the total of all race laps for all 17 races - is expected to be 5,170.574 kilometres, over 1,088 laps.

There are now no drivers who have completed every lap of every race. Gerhard Berger and Mika Hakkinen were the only drivers with a 100% up to the San Marino GP.

With this Super Race table being sorted on laps completed, it goes to show that you don't have to complete every lap of every race to be the World Champion - Villeneuve's and Michael Schumacher's lowly positions show that. And the opposite may be true too - look at Mika Salo's position.

Damon Hill and Jan Magnussen, each having missed a race this season, are trailing the rest of the field clearly - although Rubens Barrichello seems to be trying to join his team-mate.

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