In 1972 De Adamich joined the Surtees team and scored his first Formula One points when he finished fourth in the Spanish GP at Jarama. In 1973 he moved to Brabham. After a promising start of the season, when he finished again fourth in the Belgian GP at Zolder, De Adamich career was ended abruptely due to injuries sustained in a multiple-car pile-up at the British GP. The accident happened when Jody Scheckter, running fourth in his McLaren, spun across the track at Woodcote Corner at the end of the first lap, causing many other cars to collide and crash. The incident eliminated nine cars, including all three works Surtees cars.