Liuzzi takes last honours

This was the 206th and last race in the history of the category that has produced talents such as Jean Alesi, Juan Pablo Montoya, and Fernando Alonso.

This was Liuzzi's seventh victory in 10 starts this year, and came just a few days before next week's Sauber test at Jerez.

'It's great to be the last F3000 champion and also to win the last race to catch Juan Pablo's record,' said Liuzzi. 'I would have liked to pass him with one more, but anyone it's been a great season so far, and we won more races than anyone else in one year and had more pole positions in one year. I'm very happy about everything and hope to find something for the future.'

Jose Maria Lopez ran second early on but crashed when his front wing fell off. Despite suspension damage after a clash with Lopez Raffaele Giammaria took over the position, having starting second on his debut with Astromega. However, he dropped back after a poor pit stop. Second thus went to Ma-Con's Tomas Enge, who had to dash off after the finish for Sunday's Spa 1000kms.

Robert Doornbos followed up his Spa win with a good third place, while Giammaria salvaged fourth. Another bad BCN pit stop dropped Esteban Guerrieri from a potential podium finish to fifth, while Mathias Lauda had a troublefree run for once on the way to sixth. Jeff van Hooydonk and Ernesto Viso completed the points scorers.

First lap dramas claimed several victims, including erstwhile title challenger Enrico Toccacelo, whose year ended in a gravel trap. Budapest winner Patrick Friesacher crashed out after a collision with Ferdinando Monfardini.