Ronnie Peterson died 30 years ago after fatal crash in Monza

On September 11, 1978, Formula 1 has lost one of its most charismatic and fastest drivers, Ronnie Peterson . The day before he had a crash in Monza which envolved several cars and drivers. Peterson's life was not seen to be in any danger. At the time there was more concern for Brambilla, who was hit on the head by a flying wheel and was slumped comatose in his car (he later recovered and drove on in F1 until 1980).

At the hospital, Peterson's X-rays showed he had 7 fractures in one leg and 3 in the other. After discussion with Ronnie himself, the surgeons decided to operate to stabilize the bones. Unfortunately, during the night, complications brought him the death. The cause of death was given as fat embolism.