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Villeneuve Conquers World

Associated Press

Auto racing

Canadian Jacques Villeneuve won his first world driving championship Sunday in the European Grand Prix at Jerez, Spain, after German Michael Schumacher - who led from the start - ricocheted off the track when he collided with the challenger.

Mika Hakkinen in a McLaren Mercedes picked up his first career Formula One victory in the race. David Coulthard was second, with Villeneuve third.

Schumacher entered the season-ending European Grand Prix with a one-point edge over Villeneuve and needed only to finish ahead of the Canadian to win his third world title.

But after Schumacher’s Ferrari bounced off Villeneuve’s Williams Renault on the 48th lap as Villeneuve was passing on the inside, the 26-year-old French Canadian went on to take the 1997 championship by coming in third.

As far as Villeneuve was concerned, the stiff bump by Schumacher was intentional.

“I really wasn’t surprised when he (Schumacher) tried to run into me. It was a little expected,” Villeneuve said. “I knew I was taking a big risk, but when he turned in on me and we banged wheels and I jumped in the air, I really felt I’d broken the car. Luckily, he went off.”

“The way he hit me was really, really hard. I’m surprised I finished the race. Either Michael had his eyes closed or his hands slid on the steering wheel or something.”

When Schumacher tried frantically to rejoin the race, his wheels simply spun out gravel and did not move. The German climbed out of the car in disgust.

Villeneuve’s victory also spelled defeat for Ferrari, which was trying to win its first world title since 1979.

Schumacher had seemed en route to his 28th career win and his sixth this year. With Villeneuve on the pole, he still jumped ahead at the start from his No. 2 spot.

Rainouts

In Rockingham, N.C., rain soaked North Carolina Motor Speedway, forcing a postponement of the AC Delco 400 and the championship duel involving Jeff Gordon, Mark Martin and Dale Jarrett. The race was reset for today at 7 a.m. PST and televised live on TNN.

In Baytown, Texas, final eliminations for the NHRA Matco Tools SuperNationals were postponed because of rain, with the quarterfinals set to resume today at 8 a.m. PST at Houston Raceway Park.

Only one semifinalist was determined, with Kenny Bernstein beating Eddie Hill the Top Fuel division.