In the 1997 BTCC, the domination of the Renault Laguna entered by the Works Williams Renault team was overwhelming: the Swiss Alain Menu, who had replaced Will Hoy in Renault, won the drivers' classification with 12 victories, already becoming champion at Snetterton with 6 heats to spare. His teammate, Jason Plato, getting three consecutive pole positions at the opening of the season, scored his first success at Snetterton, doing it again in the last race at Silverstone. The team also took the constructors and team titles.