Ronnie Peterson, 45 years ago the tragedy at Monza.

Ronnie Peterson, 45 years ago the tragedy

Forty-five years ago, on September 11, 1978, as a result of the consequences of a tragic accident the day before on the Monza track, where the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix was being run, Swedish driver Ronnie Peterson died. He was only 34 years old.

He came to prominence in 1971 with the March, and in 1973 he won four Grand Prix and placed third in the overall standings, in a Lotus.

Returning to Lotus, after having driven Tyrrell (also six-wheeled), the outstanding driver was cut short by an embolism within hours of the accident.

Controversy flared up both because of the dynamics that led to the collision between several cars at the start of the race, and because of the manner of the surgery to which the unfortunate Scandinavian champion underwent.