Complex sentence: In 1980, Patrick joined the newly formed Alfa Romeo team, that was on a comeback trail: the car was quick (Patrick qualified 3rd for the 1980 United States Grand Prix West) but not reliable enough to finish.
Split into simpler sentences: In 1980, Patrick joined the newly formed Alfa Romeo team, that was on a comeback trail. The car was quick, Patrick qualified 3rd for the 1980 United States Grand Prix West, but the car was not reliable enough to finish.