Current address: Heaven

Mario Andretti and Ronnie Peterson were teammates at Lotus in 1978. The Swede was hired by Colin Chapman with the mission of assisting the American in his quest for the world title. Although sometimes faster, Ronnie kept his word and didn’t attack Mario in races (like on the photo here below at Zandvoort).

A strong friendship was born between these two great champions. Open the photo here-above to see it in full. It speaks volumes.

Sadly, Ronnie Peterson was involved in a terrible accident at the start of the 1978 Italian Grand Prix in Monza, the day Mario Andretti was crowned world champion. He succumbed to his injuries the next day. Mario recently posted this letter on social media, written in memory of his friend.

“To Ronnie Peterson. Current address: Heaven. We haven’t spoken in 47 years, but I think of you often. You have no idea how often I’m asked about you and how much your spirit lives on in the world of Formula 1. I miss you. Please find my twin brother Aldo. He’s in Heaven too.”