Peterson, the rising star

Swede Ronnie Peterson started career in karting, the discipline in which so many racing drivers begin their journey in motor-racing. Right from the start, his huge talent was obvious and he won two consecutive Swedish titles in 1963 and 1964 (picture above).

He then moved on to Formula 3, where he won the support race, for the 1969 Monaco Grand Prix. By this time, F1 bosses started to pay attention to this discreet but very fast driver, and the March factory team led by Max Mosley and Robin Herd, signed him for three seasons. In 1971, Peterson made best use of the March 711, a car not that easy to master, took six podiums, and finished runner-up to Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell-Ford) in the Drivers’ Championship.

Peterson, one of the fastest and spectacular drivers in history, drove for March, Lotus and Tyrrell, entered a total of 123 races, scored 10 Grand Prix wins, 26 podiums, 14 pole positions and 206 career points. Ronnie finished twice runner-up in the Drivers’ Championship, in 1971 and 1978. He is seen here-under, at the 1971 Monaco Grand Prix, where he finished second, in the unconventional-looking March 711.