After introducing Michael Schumacher into Formula 1 in 1991, Jordan decided to bring a second Schumacher into the sport six years later – reigning Formula Nippon champion Ralf Schumacher.
Team owner Eddie Jordan had failed to coax world champion Damon Hill after he had been unceremoniously let go by Williams, and instead Minardi driver Giancarlo Fisichella was signed to give Jordan one of their least-experienced driver line ups ever.In the final year of their contract with engine suppliers Peugeot, Jordan was given an opportunity to prove their worth and expanded to more team personnel than ever before.
The striking yellow car with the snake design on the nosecone certainly looked the part and proved to be their most successful car to date, finishing fifth in the constructors’ championship for a second consecutive year with a new personal best points haul of 34.
The inexperience of the team’s two drivers was not of too great a hindrance as Schumacher scored a podium finish in only his third race in Argentina – but only after clashing with his team mate. Fisichella himself recorded two podiums in Canada and then at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.
Near the end of the season, Jordan had instead decided to part ways with Peugeot and form a new partnership with Honda for 1998. It would prove the start of the most successful period of Jordan’s history, all thanks to a solid season with the team’s handy 197 chassis.
Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and