1979

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)

Early Career • 1979 • 1980 • 1981 • 1982 • 1983 • 1984 • 1985 • 1986