Peterson, Ronnie

[TimD]

I just saw some wonderful old footage of Ronnie Peterson leading home the 1973 Italian Grand Prix, ahead of his team mate Emerson Fittipaldi.

Excellent, a Lotus 1-2, at first glance. But, the history books will show that Emerson needed the win for any hope of beating Jackie Stewart to the championship that year.

Which made me wonder, the one thing that everyone immediately recalls about the SuperSwede is his unfailing support of Mario Andretti in the 1978 season, never once usurping his number two status in the team.

Does anyone know if his employment depended on this? Were words said after the 1973 race?

And failing this, any great Ronnie memories would be good to hear. He was always a favourite, and yet he always seemed to be just a little bit in the shadows. Perhaps if he'd been driving a Ferrari rather than a Lotus... Or is that being too cynical?