Eliseo Salazar

Eliseo Salazar Valenzuela (14 November 1954 - Present): Chilean racing driver from Santiago, who became the first Chilean to compete in Formula One and is best remembered for a controversial collision with Alain Prost that defined his F1 legacy. Competed in Formula One from 1981 to 1983 with Ensign, ATS, and RAM Racing, participating in 37 Grands Prix without scoring championship points. Made his Formula One debut at the 1981 San Marino Grand Prix with Ensign, becoming Chile's first and, to date, only Formula One driver. Most infamously remembered for the 1982 German Grand Prix at Hockenheim when he collided with race leader Alain Prost while being lapped, taking both drivers out of the race.

The incident led to Prost physically confronting and shoving Salazar in one of Formula One's most memorable post-race altercations, captured on television and replayed endlessly. Despite showing occasional flashes of speed, particularly in qualifying, Salazar's Formula One career was hampered by consistently driving uncompetitive machinery with perpetually underfunded teams. His best qualifying position was 11th at the 1982 Brazilian Grand Prix. After leaving Formula One at the end of 1983, Salazar continued racing in various categories.

Found considerable success in endurance racing, competing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans multiple times with best results including class victories. Became a successful racing driver in South American touring car championships, winning races and championships in his native Chile. Also competed in the CART series in the United States during the 1990s. Salazar's post-F1 career proved far more successful than his time in Formula One, demonstrating that his talent exceeded his grand prix results.

Remains active in Chilean motorsport as a respected elder statesman and occasional competitor. His son Eliseo Salazar Jr. has also competed in motorsport. While the Prost incident overshadows his racing legacy internationally, Salazar is celebrated in Chile as a pioneering figure who represented his country on Formula One's global stage.