March, Lotus, Tyrrell · Sweden

Ronnie Peterson

10 wins in 123 starts. Years active: 1970–1978.

titles: 0
wins: 10
poles: 14
podiums: 26
starts: 123

Born: 14 February 1944
Birthplace: Örebro
Lifespan: 1944–1978

History

March, Lotus, Tyrrell · Sweden

Ronnie Peterson

10 wins in 123 starts. Years active: 1970–1978.

Born: 14 February 1944
Birthplace: Örebro
Lifespan: 1944–1978

Biography

“SuperSwede”

Ronnie Peterson’s speed earned him the nickname “SuperSwede”. In 1971 he was runner-up in the World Championship with March without winning a single race, and he took his first win in 1973 with Lotus — at the French Grand Prix. In all, he won 10 races and started from pole 14 times.

The final season

In 1978 Peterson returned to Lotus as Mario Andretti’s team-mate, won two races and, as agreed, did not stand in the way of the team leader’s title bid. At the start of the Italian Grand Prix at Monza he was caught up in a multi-car crash and died in hospital the next day; he was posthumously classified runner-up in the World Championship.

Born: 14 February 1944, Örebro, Sweden
Debut: Monaco Grand Prix, 10 May 1970, March
First win: French Grand Prix, 1 July 1973, Lotus
Best championship finish: 2nd — 1971, 1978
Last race: Italian Grand Prix, 10 September 1978, Lotus
Career: 123 starts, 10 wins, 14 poles
Died: 11 September 1978