In a repeat of 1994, Michael Schumacher yesterday tried to win another world title by driving his Williams rival off the road. But in Jerez, Jacques Villenueve's Williams withstood the battering of the Ferrari and limped home to a third place finish and the 1997 World Champion Driver's title.

The incident overshadowed a great first race win for the Finn Mika Hakkinen in a McLaren, who took the lead from the slowing Villeneuve on the second last lap.

Schumacher started yesterday's 17th and final round of the Formula One championship a single point ahead of Villeneuve. And after a fantastic start, the German dominated the first half of the race but by lap 47 of 69 tyre trouble allowed Villeneuve to get within striking distance. Schumacher, nursing a slowing car, had allowed Villeneuve to close a 2.5 second gap and as the two approached the Dry Sack corner, Villeneuve dived down the inside. Unable to keep the Canadian at bay, Schumacher swung right, planting his front wheel inbetween the left-hand wheels of the Williams.

But it was a fraction too early and too hard. The Ferrari's front wheel hit the angled sidepod of the Williams, which bounced the Ferrari out of the path of the its rear wheel. "I wasn't surprised when he turned in on me," Villeneuve said at the post-race press conference. Then, tongue in cheek, he added: "maybe his eyes were closed or his hand slipped off the steering wheel!"

"He hit the side pod really hard. I though he hit the rear wheel but now I'm not sure.

"It says a lot for the strength of the car that I could continue on - even though it felt funny on the right hand corners."

"It feels great. It's been an up and down year. We had the most competitive car from the middle of the season but there have been times when we did not get the job done," added Villeneuve.

"I made a few mistakes, the team made some mistakes. To win today after the disqualification in Suzuka feels great."

Eddie Irvine defended his team-mate. "It was a good passing manoeuvre by Jacques. Michael obviously didn't see him," he said.

After celebrating a great moment in his life by being lifted shoulder high by first and second-placed Hakkinen and David Coulthard, Villeneuve, the first driver to win the title in just his second season was called to the stewards' room along with Schumacher to discuss the crash.

In the light of the result, the FIA decided it was a racing incident and that no action was to be taken.

Irvine, who started the event seventh on the grid, had little impact on race tactics but managed a highly creditable fifth, which will ensure his standing in Ferrari's good books through the close season.

Jordan, meanwhile had a dismal denouement to their season, with Fisichella finishing a miserable 11th and Ralph Schumacher retiring with a water leak.

Despite over 2,000 Irish fans being at the track, Eddie Jordan couldn't wait to get back to Marie and his four children down in Sotogrande for the mid-term break: "It's a pity to finish with Peugeot on such a low note. We were the only ones on hard tyres and it certainly proved no advantage. The car isn't good on slow speed corners. But still we must remember this is our best season ever - 33 points".