 Nyorai mberi kweiyi ndima - Patrese akawana mapoinzi munhangemutange yechitatu yechikwata, US West Grand PrixkuLong Beach. Akanga ari munzira yokukunda muSouth Africa, asi kukundikana kweinjini mumatanho okupedzisira omujaho kwakamutorera rukundo. Kuguma panzvimbo yechipiri muSweden shure kwaNiki Lauda uye motokari ine mukurumbira wakaipa yakanga iri nhambo inokosha 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. 