Editor Chris Balfe remembers the 1982 San Marino GP - Imola, 25 April 1982

Today's classic GP is about triumph and tragedy.

On the surface it is the story of Italian joy at a Ferrari 1-2 on Italian soil following an epic fight to the finish. In reality it encapsulates all that Formula One is about; bravery, treachery, drama, passion and death.

There are no winners here! indeed we are all losers.

As a result of the FISA/FOCA war, often referred to as FIASCO, many of the FOCA teams opted to miss the 1982 San Marino GP.

This meant that McLaren, Williams, Brabham, Lotus, March and Arrows, left Ferrari (just one point from the first three races), free to take on the might of ATS, Osella, Alfa Romeo, Toleman and Renault.

Tyrrell who were FOCA members had just signed a major sponsorship deal with an Italian washing machine company, therefore FOCA President Bernie Ecclestone (may his spectacles never mist) gave a special dispensation to the British team to take part providing that team boss Ken Tyrrell carry out special tasks on Mr E's behalf.

It's worth remembering that such was the mood within F1 at the time, that at the South African GP many of the drivers actually went on strike in a row over licences - barricading themselves into a hotel room. Negotiations were carried out between Didier Pironi and Bernie Ecclestone (may his chewing gum never lose its flavour). As the drivers remained in their hotel room refusing to emerge, Elio de Angelis kept them entertained by playing the piano. Another driver commented that should Alain Prost and Gilles Villeneuve have got together and made a baby (don't ask!) it would have been the ultimate GP driver.

It was an all yellow front row, with Alain Prost sitting on pole alongside team-mate Rene Arnoux. However, all eyes were on the second row of the grid - the Ferraris of Gilles Villeneuve and Didier Pironi.

Despite the fact that there were only 14 cars contesting the race, the atmosphere was electric - even more so as Arnoux blasted into the lead with the Ferraris in hot pursuit. Prost's race was over almost before it had begun, the Frenchman out with engine problems after just 6 laps.

The two scarlet cars shadowed the lone Renault awaiting their moment. At times, Villeneuve and Arnoux were running side by side with Pironi keen to get in on the action - no pit strategy to keep fans amused in those days.

On lap 26, Villeneuve took the lead and Imola went wild, Arnoux was not done however and four laps later the Frenchman re-established himself at the front. On lap 44 it appeared to be over as the Renault's turbo blew big time, as the Frenchman pulled onto the grass verge the Ferraris disappeared into the distance.

With 15 laps remaining, it was Villeneuve from Pironi, just as it should be. For Gilles was number one driver! it was in his contract. Throughout 1978, Ronnie Peterson had shadowed team-mate Mario Andretti, and though the Swede was undoubtedly faster than the American, Ronnie was a man of his word - as a result Andretti took the championship. In 1979 a similar arrangement saw Gilles Villeneuve shadowing Jody Scheckter to glory - for Gilles like Ronnie was a man of honour.

It was clear that with both Renaults out of the way, Ferrari were on course for a remarkable 1-2 on home soil, with Gilles leading the way - but Pironi had other ideas.

As the Ferrari crew held out a "slow" signal to their drivers, Pironi applied the pressure. Gilles responded convinced that his team-mate was merely playing up to the Tifosi.

Suddenly Pironi made his move, and the race was on. Gilles was still convinced that it was a charade, that his team mate would never break his word! his contract. The Ferrari team leader re-took the lead assuming Pironi would fall into place behind him - but that was not in Didier's script.

Once Gilles realised that this was for real, it was too late. In a brave, brave move Pironi pulled out of Villeneuve's slipstream and passed the Canadian at Tosa. Villeneuve did his best, but it wasn't enough.

Words could not do justice to the battle that these two men fought, so I will not try. Please, do your best to get hold of a video of this race - whatever you pay, it will be worth it.

As Pironi sprayed the champagne, there was no mistaking Gilles' mood. The French Canadian was beside himself - not because he'd finished second, but because he'd been betrayed.

Gilles vowed that he would never talk to Pironi again - just thirteen days later Gilles was dead - killed in an accident during qualifying for the Belgian GP at Zolder.

In time no doubt, Giles would have forgiven Didier, he was that kind of guy. However Pironi was distraught at the loss of his friend especially under such circumstances. Just over four months later, Pironi was badly injured during qualifying for the German GP in an accident eerily similar to that which had killed his team-mate.