The new 'Ring' was designed with the help of computers to calculate cornering speeds. It was soon blitzed by Nelson Piquet en route to his customary pole position. The computers said the F1 lap speed would be under 120 mph, so Nelson did 128.81 at his first visit! Alain Prost was as determined as ever to finish the race in front of Piquet whilst many predicted that Niki Lauda would wrap the title up at this penultimate round. Alboreto drove probably his best race of the 1984 season, Lauda spun trying to pass back markers and there is a five car shunt at the first corner which sets this Nurburgring race off to spectacular start!