Ronnie Peterson -- 40 Years On

DISCLAIMER: This post contains graphic content - discretion is advised.

The 11th of September marks a dark day in the F1 world. Many remember particular races that changed an era, races that changed the future of the sport. But none quite like the 1978 Italian Grand Prix.

Lotus teammates Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson lined up on pole and P5 respectively, not knowing what was to come next.

The Lotus 79 ground effect car radically changed F1, with Lotus totally dominating the championship that year, with Andretti and Peterson in the lead by a fair margin.

It is still unknown why, but Peterson’s Lotus was swapped out for the 78, the car used in the previous season. The 78 still had the ground effect of the 79, but not to the same extent.

The start of the race was an absolute shambles. The race director was rather enthusiastic with the lights, switching them on before the whole field had formed up. Midfield cars got the jump on cars ahead, triggering an accident.

Riccardo Patrese got the jump on James Hunt in the McLaren, coming alongside him, giving Hunt a fright. To save his race, he instinctively pulled over to the left, and into the right rear wheel of Ronnie Peterson’s Lotus.

This caused Ronnie’s car to spin. The car travelled into the barrier backwards, causing the car to bounce off the Armco and back into the path of oncoming traffic. Trying his best to avoid the wreck, Vittorio Brambilla crashed into Ronnie’s car.

Along with Hunt, Brambilla and Peterson, Hans-Joachim Stuck, Patrick Depailler, Didier Pironi, Derek Daly, Clay Regazzoni and Brett Lunger were all involved in the huge wreck with several injuries.

Peterson, now trapped, had just moments to escape before perishing in the burning Lotus. James Hunt, Clay Regazzoni and Patrick Depailler all helped to get the Swede out of the burning car.

With the assistance of several fire extinguishers, Ronnie was pulled from the smoldering remains of the 78. The car was almost unrecognisable after the accident, with only the livery offering a glimmer of what the mangled wreck once was.

Ronnie was pulled from the wreck with minor burns and badly broken legs, clearly a career ending injury. He was laid across the track fully conscious and aware of what was going on, and in serious pain.

It took a full 20 minutes for medical help to be dispatched to the circuit. Along with Brambilla, who was rendered unconscious after being hit by a tyre, were both shipped off to a nearby hospital in Milan. The race was restarted three hours later.

Mario Andretti would go on to win the restart, scoring a full nine points. He had such a margin over Peterson and Lauda that he was declared championship winner. But with his Lotus teammate in hospital, the celebrations were muted.

Vittorio Brambilla was later registered fit and raced in subsequent seasons, but only as an on-off driver for Autodelta and the Alfa Romeo works team.

Ronnie however, was in a bad way. His severely broken legs required surgery to save his life. Such debilitating injuries would end the career of a racing driver, especially back in the days where safety was a car-builder’s lowest priority.

During surgery, Ronnie’s legs were splinted after it became apparent that the circulation in one of his legs was under threat. Ronnie was wheeled out of theatre just before midnight in a stable condition - never to wake again.

F1’s Doctor and Medical professional, Prof. Sid Watkins, received a phone call at 4am, being told that Ronnie’s condition had worsened. By the time Sid reached the hospital, Ronnie was considered Clinically Brain-dead.

Ronnie peacefully passed away from a Fat Embolism in his leg in the early hours of the 11th September 1978.

A Fat Embolism is a rare condition that, once noticed, can be very difficult to save the patient, and is caused by numerous fractures and breakages in the legs, of which Ronnie had 27.

A Fat Embolism cuts off the blood supply to certain parts of the body, causing the brain to be starved of oxygen, causing serious brain damage.

Much was done after Ronnie’s death. Sid Watkins, along with the help of ex-driver Jackie Stewart, the Medical car was introduced to the sport. This car would carry a doctor and would be put into action in the event of a crash.

It wouldn’t be for another 22 years that the quick reactions of the medical team were realised. Michael Schumacher’s 1999 crash at Silverstone proved how effective the team were, with Schumacher leaving with a broken leg.

Ronnie’s accident shows how far safety has come in Formula 1. Would he have survived and walked away in a 2018-spec car? Well, quite possibly, yes. Martin Donnelly survived very similar career-ending injuries at Jerez (Spain) in 1990, also in a Lotus.

If you wish to see the accident, here is footage from the race start. (DISCLAIMER - Viewer discretion is advised)

Ronnie was remembered for his immense speed, being tipped for world champ some day. His pace gave him the nickname “Superswede”, rather fitting for a hero of the sport.

A ‘Senna’-style Swedish documentary film was released last year about Ronnie. I have yet to watch it, but have been told that it is worth a watch.

Ronnie Peterson was killed after failings in car safety lead to serious injury. His death was, and still is a massive loss to the sport.

Rest in Peace Ronnie, you absolute legend…

Thanks all so much for reading, drive safe,
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