The 1982 Formula 1 season was one of the most turbulent in the sport's history, marked by the deaths of Gilles Villeneuve and Riccardo Paletti, a career-ending crash for Didier Pironi, the FISA-FOCA political war, driver strikes, and boycotts. Finnish driver Keke Rosberg won his only World Drivers' Championship driving for Williams, despite winning only one race during the season.
Formula 1 drivers refused to take part in practice for the South African Grand Prix at Kyalami in protest against the introduction of new super-license regulations by FISA. The drivers locked themselves in a hotel and eventually reached a compromise, allowing the race weekend to proceed.
Most FOCA-aligned teams, including Brabham, McLaren, Williams, and Lotus, boycotted the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola in protest against FISA's actions following the driver strike at Kyalami. Only 14 cars started the race, which was won by Didier Pironi in a Ferrari.
Ferrari driver Gilles Villeneuve was killed during qualifying for the Belgian Grand Prix at Zolder when his car collided with the March of Jochen Mass at high speed. The Canadian driver, one of the most beloved figures in Formula 1, died at age 32.
The Monaco Grand Prix saw one of the most chaotic finishes in F1 history. Riccardo Patrese spun and stalled late in the race, while leaders Alain Prost, Didier Pironi, and Andrea de Cesaris all retired in the final laps. Patrese's car restarted on a downhill slope, and he was declared the winner, his first Formula 1 victory.
Osella driver Riccardo Paletti was killed at the start of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal when he collided at high speed with the stalled Ferrari of Didier Pironi, who had stalled on the grid. Paletti died from his injuries at age 23, making this one of the darkest weekends of the season.
Ferrari's Didier Pironi, who was leading the championship, suffered a career-ending crash during a wet qualifying session for the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim. He collided with the Renault of Alain Prost, suffering severe leg injuries that ended his Formula 1 career.
Elio de Angelis won the Austrian Grand Prix at the Österreichring for Lotus, narrowly beating Keke Rosberg by just 0.05 seconds in one of the closest finishes in Formula 1 history. This was de Angelis's first Grand Prix victory.
The season concluded with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, held in the Caesar's Palace car park. Michele Alboreto won the race for Tyrrell, while Keke Rosberg finished fifth to secure his first and only World Drivers' Championship for Williams, becoming the first Finnish Formula 1 World Champion.
