 The 1997 European Grand Prix ( formally the XLII European Grand Prix ) was a Formula One motor race held on 26 October 1997 at the Circuito Permanente de Jerez , Spain . Originally scheduled as the Grand Prix of Portugal at the Estoril circuit , it was moved when Estoril 's management had financial difficulties . It was the 17th and final race of the 1997 Formula One season . The 69 @-@ lap race was won by Mika Häkkinen in a McLaren , his first Formula One race victory . His team @-@ mate David Coulthard finished second and Williams driver Jacques Villeneuve took third , which was sufficient for him to win the World Championship . As of 2015 , these are Williams 's last Drivers ' and Constructors ' World Championships . 
