1982

After having raced the first race of the 1982 season with an old modified Lotus 87, starting from the Brazilian Grand Prix Elio was able to use the new Lotus 91. After having scored several points during the season, he obtained the first victory of his career at the Austrian Grand Prix: with five laps to go he found himself in the lead and with one lap to go he had over a second and a half of advantage over Keke Rosberg, but, due to an error in a gear change, the Finn managed to recover the disadvantage. The two reached the finish line side by side, separated by just 5 hundredths. This was also the last victory for Lotus witnessed by Colin Chapman, who would pass away in December of that year. After this success Elio obtained a sixth place in Switzerland, before closing the championship ninth, with twenty-four points.

Race
Date
Circuit
Grid
Finish
23 Jan
Kyalami
15
8
21 Mar
Jacarepagua
11
Retired
04 Apr
Long Beach
16
5
09 May
Zolder
11
4
23 May
Montecarlo
15
5
06 Jun
Detroit
8
Retired
13 Jun
Montreal
10
4
03 Jul
Zandvoort
15
Retired
18 Jul
Brands Hatch
7
4
25 Jul
Paul Ricard
13
Retired
08 Aug
Hockenheim
13
Retired
15 Aug
Osterreichring
7
1
29 Aug
Dijon-Prenois
15
6
12 Sep
Monza
17
Retired
25 Sep
Caesar's Palace
20
Retired

Team

John Player Special Team Lotus

Car • Engine • Tires

Lotus 87B/91 no. 11 • Ford Cosworth V8 • Goodyear

Championship

Lotus (Constructors): 5th (30 pts)

Elio de Angelis (Drivers): 9th (23 pts)

Early Career19791980198119821983198419851986