Ronnie Peterson was an impressive talent who met a tragic end too early in his career, having secured a second-place finish in the drivers’ world championship during only his second F1 season.
| Nationality | Swedish |
|---|---|
| Born | Bengt Ronnie Peterson 14 February 1944 Örebro, Sweden |
| Died | 11 September 1978 (aged 34) Milan, Italy |
Initially advancing from karting, Peterson ascended to Formula Three, clinching the Swedish championship in 1968. He progressed to the European series the following year, drawing Formula One’s attention by securing a victory in Monaco.
In 1970, Peterson undertook a dual campaign in Formula Two and selected Formula One races. Though this year brought modest results, his perseverance paid off with a works drive for March in 1971.
Despite not winning a race that year, four second-place finishes propelled him to second in the championship standings behind the formidable Jackie Stewart. He also competed in Formula Two, where he captured four victories and the championship title.
March’s 1972 season was less successful with the problematic 721X chassis, which Peterson raced only three times before switching to the more competitive 721G. His performance in this car, especially a commendable third at the Nurburgring Nordschleife, impressed Lotus team owner Colin Chapman, who offered Peterson a seat for 1973 alongside reigning champion Emerson Fittipaldi. Despite a rocky start to the season, Peterson rebounded to secure seven podiums, including four victories, with his initial win at Paul Ricard marking a significant breakthrough.
However, he couldn’t clinch the championship, as Stewart edged out the Lotus duo. Fittipaldi, feeling overshadowed by his new teammate, departed for McLaren at the end of that season.
Peterson then became the lead driver for Chapman’s innovative designs, though this role didn’t fully align with his strengths. He managed three wins with the ageing 72 models in 1974, but the new 76 models proved challenging. The team continued with the 72 for another year in 1975, but Peterson struggled and did not achieve any podium finishes, prompting him to consider other options.
In 1976, he rejoined March after a collision with new teammate Mario Andretti at the season opener in Interlagos. Impressively, he drove the 761 chassis to a victory at Monza and planned a move to Tyrrell in 1977.
Despite the challenges of the unconventional six-wheeled P34, Peterson achieved a podium finish with it at Zolder. A return to Lotus was arranged for 1978, albeit in a supporting role to Andretti.
During Peterson’s absence, Lotus had perfected its ground effect 78 chassis. The team was dominant that season, with Peterson winning in South Africa and Austria. As the season reached Monza, Andretti was poised to win the championship.
However, a chaotic start led to a multi-car crash, with Peterson’s car hitting a barrier. He sustained severe leg injuries and awaited an ambulance for about 20 minutes. Despite surgical efforts in Milan, complications from bone marrow entering his bloodstream ultimately led to his untimely death.
Ronnie Peterson Formula One World Championship career
| Active years | 1970–1978 |
|---|---|
| Teams | March (inc. non-works), Tyrrell, Lotus |
| Entries | 123 |
| Championships | 0 |
| Wins | 10 |
| Podiums | 26 |
| Career points | 206 |
| Pole positions | 14 |
| Fastest laps | 9 |
| First entry | 1970 Monaco Grand Prix |
| First win | 1973 French Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1978 Austrian Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1978 Italian Grand Prix |
Sources: Wikipedia.com and racefans.net
