5 of Formula 1's Greatest Lost Talents - Part 2

#5 Ronnie Peterson (1944-78)

The Super Swede was a super talent in F1 during the 1970s

When writing a list of the best drivers to never win the Formula 1 championship, Gilles Villeneuve and Sir Stirling Moss are fixtures, but Ronnie Peterson is also in the same bracket as those legends.

The Super Swede is another example of a great driver that was taken too soon and came so close to winning titles, finishing runners-up in 1971 and 1978. 1971 was even more impressive when you realise that was his first full season in the sport, matching both Lewis Hamilton and Jacques Villeneuve decades before they made their debuts. Although Peterson didn't get a win in '71, his consistency saw him stand out as a future world champion.

Peterson continued through the 70s with March and Lotus, coming up against world champion teammates in Emerson Fittipaldi and Mario Andretti, drivers he stacked up well against both of them. 10 wins and 26 podiums in 9 years is an impressive record for anybody but fate would prematurely curtail his 1978 championship challenge at Monza.

Due to a start-line debacle, there was a pile-up on the main straight, Peterson initially survived but would later pass away due to his injuries. At the time, he was second in the championship and had a chance of usurping Andretti for the title.

Like Phil Hill, Andretti would say that it was a very sad day for motorsport and never celebrated his only F1 championship. Peterson was 34-years-old and in the form of his life, had he lived, he could've claimed that elusive title, but we were sadly robbed of that opportunity.