Ronnie Peterson
Discussion
Eric Mc said:
Although Hunt was wrong to take the position he did with Patrese, I think his situation was far more forgiveable than that of Allen. Hunt was involved in the accident and, as we all know, when you are in the middle of an accident your view as to how things happened won't be very clear. In addition, he helped pull poor Ronnie out of the wreckage so was face to face with his injuries. The accident affected him very badly and was probably instrumental in him retiring early in the 1979 season. I think he was also in a state of denial in respect of his contribution to the accident and wanted someone else to blame. Patrese, being the new kid on the block in 1978, was picked on - unfairly as it happened.
When Berger put Patrese into the pitwall Hunt was rather obviously pleased. Berger left Patrese nowhere to go in what was just another example of the casual approach to racing which he sometimes showed. But Hunt put all the blame on Patrese, and with no concern shown for his well-being, and for some time it really put me off him. it wasn't just that one incident. Hunt seemed to take every opportunity to attack Patrese.Even if Patrese was to blame for the accident, the cause of Peterson's death was lack of medical care immediately after the accident. The only good thing about the incident was that it changed the procedures leading to safer racing. But it should never have been allowed to be that poor. Wasn't a doctor stopped from attending the casualties (there was another driver seriously injured)?
I remember hearing on the Sunday that RP had been taken to hospital and was stable with just badly broken legs so I couldn't believe it when I heard on the radio that he'd died.
RP always impressed me. He was one of those who could have been great with a lucky break or two. He partnered Mario Andretti, one of my top five and by no stretch of the imagination fifth, and didn't suffer in comparison. That shows how good he was.
I saw Hunt a few times in his early days and he made every effort to justify his nickname of Hunt the Shunt. That said, I loved watching him. A very exciting driver and well worthy of his WDC. But his concentrated and rather viscious attack on Patrese for what was, if you ignored Hunt's contribution, nothing more than a racing incident was unforgivible.
I often felt like shouting at the TV: Just let it go!
It was the same with Ratzenberger and Senna's deaths. Those involved in the sport had been pushing for better safety for some time and these calls had been ignored. Once drivers died then those in authority accepted the need for the changes, established the procedures and then claimed the kudos for bringing the safety measures in.
RP's death was totally avoidable.
Derek Smith said:
Eric Mc said:
RP always impressed me. He was one of those who could have been great with a lucky break or two. He partnered Mario Andretti, one of my top five and by no stretch of the imagination fifth, and didn't suffer in comparison. That shows how good he was.
But for Ronnie being an honourable man and totally adherening to his contract he would have done a bit more than not suffer in comparisonHis performance at Brands when given rock hard old tyres to qualify on as oppsed to Mario's good as you could set get was just one glimpse of him showing he really did have Marios measure
Ronnie signed as no 2 and stuck to it, but didnt appreciate Chapman deliberately slowing him down
freedman said:
Derek Smith said:
RP always impressed me. He was one of those who could have been great with a lucky break or two. He partnered Mario Andretti, one of my top five and by no stretch of the imagination fifth, and didn't suffer in comparison. That shows how good he was.
But for Ronnie being an honourable man and totally adherening to his contract he would have done a bit more than not suffer in comparisonHis performance at Brands when given rock hard old tyres to qualify on as oppsed to Mario's good as you could set get was just one glimpse of him showing he really did have Marios measure
Ronnie signed as no 2 and stuck to it, but didnt appreciate Chapman deliberately slowing him down
It is shame that integrity seems to be a point against you as a driver. Massa has been severely criticised in his home country for complying with a team order.
I could never work out where to place RP in the 'list'. When I used to watch GPs in a group we would often, I suppose as everyone does, drift into grading drivers. RP used to cause a lot of argument, although never on his innate ability. Nor how thrilling he was to watch.
I've just read his Wikipedia entry to find out who the badly injured driver was in his crash - it was Brambilla - and read that Peterson's wife committed suicide, they suggest through grief. I don't remember every hearing about that. I'd also forgotten about Roebuck's contribution to the witch Hunt.
Reformatted 'cause it confused me.
Derek Smith said:
freedman said:
Derek Smith said:
RP always impressed me. He was one of those who could have been great with a lucky break or two. He partnered Mario Andretti, one of my top five and by no stretch of the imagination fifth, and didn't suffer in comparison. That shows how good he was.
But for Ronnie being an honourable man and totally adherening to his contract he would have done a bit more than not suffer in comparisonHis performance at Brands when given rock hard old tyres to qualify on as oppsed to Mario's good as you could set get was just one glimpse of him showing he really did have Marios measure
Ronnie signed as no 2 and stuck to it, but didnt appreciate Chapman deliberately slowing him down
It is shame that integrity seems to be a point against you as a driver. Massa has been severely criticised in his home country for complying with a team order.
I could never work out where to place RP in the 'list'. When I used to watch GPs in a group we would often, I suppose as everyone does, drift into grading drivers. RP used to cause a lot of argument, although never on his innate ability. Nor how thrilling he was to watch.
I've just read his Wikipedia entry to find out who the badly injured driver was in his crash - it was Brambilla - and read that Peterson's wife committed suicide, they suggest through grief. I don't remember every hearing about that. I'd also forgotten about Roebuck's contribution to the witch Hunt.
Reformatted 'cause it confused me.
His official site has some great stuff on it
http://www.ronniepeterson.se/eng_index.html
Can anyone give me an example of Hunt knocking Patrese? I can't recall Hunt saying anything nasty in his last few years of commentary, which were my first fews years watching GP. Even watching Youtube video's of the early stages of '81 Longbeach, the crazy end of '82 Monaco, Patrese's unfortunate ending of '83 San Marino and the crash with Piquet at Monaco, there was nothing that appeared spiteful, infact, at '82 Monaco and '83 San Marino I thought he even appeared somewhat sympathetic.
On Peterson, I can gather by reputation, that there are some similarities in driving/racing style with Gilles Villeneuve. Considering my first birthday was the day Watson won '82 Belgium, I'm not able to put both drivers in context. My only gripe with Villeneuve is that he seemed to me to get involved in too many accidents, I can't stand drivers that cause/get involved in accidents frequently. I suppose what I'm asking is was Peterson a crasher? Would anybody choose him over Villeneuve. (Not a troll)
On Peterson, I can gather by reputation, that there are some similarities in driving/racing style with Gilles Villeneuve. Considering my first birthday was the day Watson won '82 Belgium, I'm not able to put both drivers in context. My only gripe with Villeneuve is that he seemed to me to get involved in too many accidents, I can't stand drivers that cause/get involved in accidents frequently. I suppose what I'm asking is was Peterson a crasher? Would anybody choose him over Villeneuve. (Not a troll)
I remember attending the 1978 Silverstone 6 hours, it was a great day as Porsche ran the 935/78 moby dick for the first time. Ronnie was there and he qualified the fire spitting BMW 320 turbo 5th behind moby dick on pole and then four more regular 935's but still in front of another 7 935's on a 30 car grid.
The race started wet and as you can imagine Ronnie was superb going faster and faster he then handed over to Stuck who spun it into the catch fencing three laps later the car was able to get back to the pits but later retired due to rear axle failure.
Great driver, great man, huge integrity.
The race started wet and as you can imagine Ronnie was superb going faster and faster he then handed over to Stuck who spun it into the catch fencing three laps later the car was able to get back to the pits but later retired due to rear axle failure.
Great driver, great man, huge integrity.
JMC1 said:
I remember attending the 1978 Silverstone 6 hours, it was a great day as Porsche ran the 935/78 moby dick for the first time. Ronnie was there and he qualified the fire spitting BMW 320 turbo 5th behind moby dick on pole and then four more regular 935's but still in front of another 7 935's on a 30 car grid.
The race started wet and as you can imagine Ronnie was superb going faster and faster he then handed over to Stuck who spun it into the catch fencing three laps later the car was able to get back to the pits but later retired due to rear axle failure.
Great driver, great man, huge integrity.
I was there that day, Ronnie was at the top of his game after his resurgence back in the fold at LotusThe race started wet and as you can imagine Ronnie was superb going faster and faster he then handed over to Stuck who spun it into the catch fencing three laps later the car was able to get back to the pits but later retired due to rear axle failure.
Great driver, great man, huge integrity.
Ive never forgiven Stuck for sticking the BMW in the fence at the Brands race in 77 when chasing Ickx's 935, denying me the chance to see ronnie drive it that day
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