1984

The 1984 season began positively for Elio, who took pole position in the first race and finished third. In the following Grands Prix he finished in the top 10 and returned to the podium in San Marino, despite having risked not crossing the finish line due to an almost empty fuel tank. He then achieved a second place, his best result in a season dominated by McLarens, in the United States Grand Prix, followed by another podium in Dallas. In the summer, the driver renewed his contract with the English team for another year, despite rumours of a move to Renault, given his growing popularity in France. Only six points off the lead after the British Grand Prix, he did not manage more than two points finishes in the final part of the season, but it was enough to finish third in the drivers’ championship behind Niki Lauda and Alain Prost.