On September 10, 1978, one of the most serious starting accidents in Formula 1 history occurred. He cost the Swedish racing driver idol Ronnie Peterson’s life. He was only 34 years old.
The devastating crash of the Lotus pilot at the Grand Prix of Italy was at the end of a chain of unfortunate circumstances. The chaos race in Monza initially only lasted a few seconds. After the introductory round, there was already a serious incorrect development on the start-finish line.
Although a large part of the 24-member field was not yet in its starting position, the race was prematurely released by starter Gianni Restellelli. The rear vehicles therefore took up the Grand Prix with some speed surplus, so that after a few hundred meters, several vehicles competed on the straight side by side.
So also Ronnie Peterson, who had started the race as fifth. Due to the confusing start of the start, the teammate of the later world champion Mario Andretti quickly lost several positions and drove to the first harassment in addition to the much better mllar or Arrows competitor James Hunt and Riccardo Patrese.
Since the slope was clearly rejuvenated to the first harassment, there was a dramatic collision, in which ten vehicles were directly involved.
It comes to touch with James Hunt
To make a touch with Patres, James Hunt moved further and further to the left. The Brit touched the right rear tire of Peterson. The Swede lost control of his black racing car and hit the guardrail.
The impact filled with the petrol tank did not stand up to this impact and ignited. There was an enormous fire development. While the lotus was thrown back onto the route, Vittorio Brambilla crashes from 23rd place without alternative and serious with the ten-time Grand Prix winner.
The vice world champion from 1971 suffered 27 broken bones on both legs and burns, but initially remained conscious. In a spectacular rescue operation, he was pulled out of the burning wreck by Hunt, Dipiller and Regazzoni.
Deadly fat embolism after medical failures
After Peterson was taken care of and removed to the hospital, the situation initially seemed adjusted. The race was started with a delay of several hours. After 40 laps, Niki Lauda drove to his second win of the season, while Mario Andretti made his first and only world championship title perfect with sixth place.
Peterson’s health then deteriorated dramatically during the night. Ronnie Peterson initially fell into a coma a few hours later in the Hospital of Fat embolism.
Mats-Yannick Roth