30 years ago today the Formula 3000 championship was decided by a controversial collision between the championship contenders which resulted in one of them being disqualified.

Jorg Muller, driving for Helmut Marko’s team RSM Marko, arrived at the finale three points ahead of Super Nova’s Kenny Brack. On the 19th lap of 29 around the old Hockenheimring, Muller dived for the inside of Brack heading into the third chicane.

Brack tried to muscle his rival out, provoking contact between the two. Muller’s car rose up into the air and he spun out, but Brack continued in the lead.

Race control were unimpressed and showed Brack the black flag. Christophe Tinseau won the race and Marko celebrated a championship victory for Muller.

However F3000’s value as a route into F1 was fading: for the first time neither of the top two finishers in the championship graduated to grand prix racing.

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