ITV commentary sees Murray Walker and Martin Brundle amazed at Michael's filial nonchalance. "Just go through the morals of that! He had to shuffle his brother out of the way to let his teammate through - he's stuffed his brother to help his teammate!!" explains Brundle. (.WAV, 148k, 37 secs)

Coulthard (right) exhibits brain fade of uncalculable proportions at Adelaide, 1995 (right).

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Most will remember that this was the race where it all went wrong for Michael. Not only did he run over his fuel man Nigel Stepney at his first pit-stop, he lost the lead to Mika Hakkinen at his second stop after the replacement fuel-filler lost his nerve. Then, to add insult to injury, Michael suffered a slow puncture that saw Hakkinen disappear into the distance and David Coulthard sweep by as well.

Usually, Ferrari would have brought Schumi in at once, but at this point, I presume, the Teutonic Terror and Ross Brawn started scheming. For ever since the start, the other Ferrari of Rubens Barrichello had been trapped behind Ralf's Williams. If Michael pitted right now to change his tyres, he would drop behind those two regardless. Could Michael delay his brother and allow Rubens up to 3rd before he came in?

Michael obliged with some of the most aggressive driving seen in a long time. Coming into a 180-degree left-hander, Ralf dived down the inside of his struggling brother, but Michael would not give way. Instead, he fought side-by-side with the Williams. Then, into the next 180-degree right-hander, now it was Michael with the inside line. He barged Ralf out wide, creating a yawning gap at the apex through which Barrichello moved up into 3rd.

Seeing this, Michael let Ralf go, and pitted immediately. As commentators gasped, the media subsequently made a big fuss over it, claiming that there was a family feud on our hands as Ralf was none too pleased with such tactics from his elder brother. But it soon died down, and all has returned to business as usual - or has it?

Back to the top.

Fisichella has nowhere to go thanks to teammate Ralf's mistake, and shunts the German into the air - and where does he land but right on top of his Championship challenging brother, Michael.

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Michael, meanwhile, was as usual challenging for the championship, this time against Jacques Villeneuve's Williams. Ever since Montreal the Ferrari driver had been leading the title chase, and after Spa the German led the Canadian by 12 points. But dismal races in Italy and Austria had seen Villeneuve close to within a point, and at the Nurburgring the Ferrari was still not working. Villeneuve was 2nd on the grid while Michael was 5th just behind Giancarlo Fisichella in the other Jordan, and Ralf was 8th.

Ralf made a super start to be alongside Fisichella and past Michael going into the first corner, but in typical kamikaze brainlessness squeezed his team-mate for room. Fisichella had nowhere to go, and was forced to hit the other Jordan, sending Ralf into the air. Ralf then proceeded to land right on top of his brother's Ferrari, close to the cockpit, sending both into the sand trap. Both Jordans were out on the spot, while Michael retired two laps in with suspension damage.

Villeneuve eventually won the race after more McLaren misfortune, and in hindsight Ralf's impetuosity may have cost Michael the title. Chances are the Ferrari could have gained valuable points at the 'Ring, which may have been enough to stave off Villeneuve come the last round at Jerez. As we know, with one point in it we had a final race showdown, before Jerez-gate struck ­ and the rest, as they say, is history.

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The aftermath of the clash left both Germans in the gravel trap, and gave Villeneuve a shot at the title.