 Ramba uchinyora ndima iyi - Patrese akawana mapoinzi munhangemutange yechitatu yechikwata, US West Grand Prix paLong Beach. Akanga ari munzira yokukunda muSouth Africa, asi kukundikana kweinjini mumatanho okupedzisira omujaho kwakamutorera rukundo. Mugumo wechipiri muSwedenshure kwaNiki Lauda uye motokari yechienzi yakakurumbira yakanga iri chinhu chinokosha nokuda kwomuItaly. Muna September 1978, muItaly Grand Prix paMonza, Patrese akabatanidzwa mutsaona iyo pakupedzisira yakatora upenyu hwaRonnie Peterson. Patrese akapomerwa mhosva yekukonzera tsaona iyi uye akazobvumidzwa kumhanya pamutambo unotevera United States Grand Prix nevamwe vake vatyairi. Patrese akazonzi haana mhosva. 