Thanks to Shadow, Elio was able to debut in Formula 1 in the 1979 season. However, the contract stipulated that he had to pay 25,000 dollars for each Grand Prix to secure his place as a driver. He raised the money himself by contacting various sponsors, and was able to compete for the entire season. During the year he finished seventh twice; in the Grand Prix of the United States of America-East he achieved a fourth place. Due to his excellent performances, the owner of Lotus, Colin Chapman, called him for a testing at the end of the season. Being the fastest among the drivers who were taking part of that testing, he was hired by Chapman.
|
Race
|
Date
|
Circuit
|
Grid
|
Finish
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
21 Jan
|
Buenos Aires
|
15
|
7
|
|
|
04 Feb
|
Interlagos
|
20
|
12
|
|
|
03 Mar
|
Kyalami
|
15
|
Retired
|
|
|
08 Apr
|
Long Beach
|
20
|
7
|
|
|
20 Apr
|
Jarama
|
22
|
Retired
|
|
|
13 May
|
Zolder
|
24
|
Retired
|
|
|
27 May
|
Montecarlo
|
DNQ
|
*
|
|
|
01 Jul
|
Dijon-Prenois
|
24
|
16
|
|
|
14 Jul
|
Silverstone
|
12
|
12
|
|
|
29 Jul
|
Hockenheim
|
21
|
11
|
|
|
12 Aug
|
Osterreichring
|
22
|
Retired
|
|
|
26 Aug
|
Zandvoort
|
22
|
Retired
|
|
|
09 Sep
|
Monza
|
24
|
Retired
|
|
|
30 Sep
|
Montreal
|
23
|
Retired
|
|
|
07 Oct
|
Watkins Glen
|
20
|
4
|
Team
Shadow Racing Team
Car • Engine • Tires
Shadow DN9 no. 18 • Ford Cosworth V8 • Goodyear
Championship
Shadow (Constructors): 10th (3 pts)
Elio de Angelis (Drivers): 15th (3 pts)
BMW Procar Championship
|
Race
|
Date
|
Car
|
Grid
|
Finish
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Zolder
|
12 Apr
|
BMW M1
|
8
|
1
|
|
Donington
|
03 Jun
|
BMW M1
|
*
|
10
|
|
Silverstone
|
13 Jul
|
BMW M1
|
*
|
Retired
|
|
Hockenheim
|
28 Jul
|
BMW M1
|
*
|
Retired
|
|
Zandvoort
|
25 Aug
|
BMW M1
|
*
|
Retired
|
|
Monza
|
08 Sep
|
BMW M1
|
*
|
Retired
|
Team
Squadra Osella Corse (BMW Italia)
Car • Engine • Tires
BMW M1 no. 60 • BMW M88/1 • Goodyear
Championship
Elio de Angelis (Drivers): 13th (20 pts)
