The Benetton B197 had a lacklustre opening to the 1997 season at Melbourne but the team and Berger bounced back at the 1997 Brazilian Grand Prix, with Berger finishing second having overtaken Mika Häkkinen and Michael Schumacher.
O Benetton B197 tivo un inicio sen brillo na tempada 1997 en Melbourne, pero o equipo de Berger recuperouse no Gran Premio de Brasil de 1977, cun forte Berger acabando segundo superando a Mika Häkkinen e Michael Schumacher.