Elio De Angelis was an intrinsic part of eighties Formula 1 racing.
It is over two decades since motor racing lost Elio De Angelis but he remains one of Formula 1's best loved drivers. In an increasingly professional world Elio seemed to be from a different era with his laid-back demeanour and effortless charm.
Although he won only two World Championship Grands Prix it says much for Elio that he is remembered so fondly. Although perhaps not World Champion material he brought an element of sophistication to the paddock which was rarely seen among his contemporaries. An excellent classical pianist he kept the rest of the drivers amused with a recital during a strike in 1982. He was also a gifted artist and produced many complex drawings.
Elio was a proud Roman and a committed supporter of his local football team, AS Roma. His break into Formula 1 came courtesy of the Shadow team in 1979. It was not a car in which to make an impression but the wily Lotus boss Colin Chapman recognised the potential of the young Italian. For 1980 Elio would be a works Lotus Formula 1 driver, alongside the American racing legend, Mario Andretti.
The breakthrough win came at the 1982 Austrian Grand Prix. Elio doggedly held off Keke Rosberg's Williams to win by a matter of inches. At the time Elio's team-mate was the young Nigel Mansell. As with Andretti, Elio had a good relationship with the young Englishman. When Mansell moved to Williams at the end of 1984 the man who replaced him would be far more difficult to deal with.
Ayrton Senna arrived at Lotus for the 1985 season already billed as the next big thing. Elio was in his sixth season with the team and felt very comfortable there but, as the season progressed, the relationship deteriorated. Senna was fiercely determined about asserting his position as undisputed number one in the team. Although Elio was a championship challenger early on in the year he could stand the situation no longer. He scored his second and final Grand Prix win at the 1985 San Marino Grand Prix but, for 1986, he would be a Brabham driver.
The 1986 Brabham BT55 was an extremely radical car, almost 30 centimetres lower than the old model. It looked fantastic but, in reality, it was an abysmal failure. Elio and his team-mate Riccardo Patrese struggled as best they could but it was of little use.
Following the Monaco Grand Prix Patrese was scheduled to test the car at the Paul Ricard circuit in southern France. At the last moment Elio took his place. Two Benetton mechanics witnessed the crash which happened on one of the fastest sections of the track. A wing failure on the Brabham caused Elio to lose control and plough into the armco barrier. The car eventually came to rest on the other side of the barrier, upside down and on fire. Several drivers stopped to help but it would be many minutes before Elio could be released from the wreckage. The marshals present wore shorts and T-shirts while the fire truck which eventually arrived parked too far away.
Despite only receiving minor injuries as a result of the impact the fire had taken its toll Elio De Angelis died on 15th May, 1986, with his family present. His memory was kept alive by French driver Jean Alesi, who copied Elio's crash helmet design and raced with it during his own long Formula 1 career.
Clive Chapman, the son of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, knew Elio well. In the book 'Remembering Elio', by Lorie Coffey, published in 2006 by Coterie Press, he writes of the Italian's, "quiet confidence, generosity and charm." He also reminds readers of an impressive statistic which Elio holds.
"Whenever I am showing visitors around the workshops I enjoy asking them, 'Who raced in the most Grands Prix for Team Lotus?' If they know I am pleased. If they do not, I enjoy telling them it was Elio and that he is my hero."
Elio's death left a massive void in Formula 1 racing. He was a gentleman racer in a professional world, competing because of a genuine love for the sport. He is remembered as a tenacious competitor and a thoroughly decent human being.
SOURCES:
'Autocourse'
The Nostalgia Forum
'Remembering Elio' (Lorie Coffey)
