Ronnie Peterson

Swedish racing driver twice runner-up in the World Championship, celebrated as one of the most spectacular drivers of his era, who died from complications following a crash at the 1978 Italian Grand Prix.

Born on 14 February 1944 in Örebro, Sweden, Ronnie Peterson made his Formula 1 debut with March in 1970 and quickly earned a reputation as one of the most thrilling and naturally gifted drivers on the grid, celebrated for a spectacular, sideways driving style that made him mesmerising to watch, particularly through fast corners such as Silverstone's old Woodcote. Peterson signed for Lotus in 1973, winning four races that season and finishing runner-up in the World Championship. He returned to March and later Tyrrell before rejoining Lotus for 1978 as teammate to Mario Andretti, accepting a clear number-two role in the team's title challenge despite being widely regarded as at least Andretti's equal in outright speed. He nonetheless won two races that season, in South Africa and Austria, contributing significantly to both Lotus's Drivers' and Constructors' Championships. At the 1978 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, a multi-car accident at the start caused Peterson's Lotus to crash into the barriers and catch fire. He suffered serious leg injuries that were not initially considered life-threatening, but died the following morning from an embolism following surgery, news that reached teammate Andretti — who had just won the World Championship in the same race — via a tollbooth attendant. Peterson finished his career with 10 Grand Prix wins and 26 podiums from 123 starts, and was posthumously awarded second place in the 1978 championship, becoming only the second driver in the sport's history, after Wolfgang von Trips, to finish a championship runner-up after death.

Spectacular, sideways driving style with exceptional car control at the limit

Widely regarded as one of the finest and most exciting drivers never to win a World Championship