Pironi disobeyed team orders and overtook Villeneuve for take to win.

Villeneuve was killed during the closing stages of qualification and Ferrari instantly withdrew from the race.

It was the race that no driver seemingly wanted to win as the lead changed four times in just three laps at the end. Just five cars would take the chequered flag.

Riccardo Paletti crashed his Osella into the back of the Ferrari by Didier Pironi and burst into flames after start. Paletti death came less than three hours after he was freed from the wreckage of his burning car.

On Lap 19, Nelson Piquet collided with Eliseo Salazar while lapping him at the new Ostkurve chicane and an irate Piquet proceeded to attack the Chilean driver.

Elio de Angelis took his maiden Formula 1 victory.

Keke Rosberg delivered his first Formula 1 World Championship Race win.

Michele Alboreto won his first Grand Prix and Keke Rosberg finish fifth place and is World Champion.