Ronnie Peterson, who died on 11 September, 1978 at the age of 34, was generally regarded as one of the greatest racing drivers to ever grace the track.

Known to his fans as ‘Super Swede’, he successfully completed an incredible 123 Grand Prix races and clinched 10 victories in nine seasons.

However, despite his reputation as the fastest driver on the circuit, he failed to win a Formula One title.

The Swedish super star’s career came to an abrupt and tragic end at Monza in 1978 when he crashed heavily at the start and later died from his injuries.

Bengt Ronnie Peterson was born on 14 February, 1944, in Orebro, Sweden. A fan of karting from an early age, he spent much of his youth competing in European Championships and developing his driving style.

Superb results on the karting track soon led to his Formula Three debut in 1966, attaining a respectable third place in a car co-designed by his baker father.

In 1968, the chance arose to race with Tecno, an ambitious racing company from Italy, and Mr Peterson wasted no time in signing for them. A year later, he won the Formula Three Championship, securing his elevation to Formula One status.

It was while still driving in the lesser formulae that the young speed icon made his Grand Prix debut at Monaco in 1970. As part of the March team, he impressed the world with his skills and, in 1971, scored five second place finishes which earned him the position of runner-up to Jackie Stewart in that year’s World Championship.

However, as his reputation rocketed, the team’s limited budget began to hold him back. He subsequently signed for Lotus in 1973 with whom, teamed with the then-World Champion, Emerson Fittipaldi, he won his first race at the French Grand Prix.

Further wins, in Austria, Italy and the US, followed later that year but a brief period back with the March team and Tyrell later in the 1970s yielded little success.

1978 saw him back on form at Lotus as number two to Mario Andretti. Together, the pair dominated the season with a succession of spectacular wins, while Mr Peterson’s reputation for raw speed was cemented overnight.

His blossoming career, however, was tragically cut short when the Lotus 78 he was driving during that year’s Italian Grand Prix collided with a number of other cars. On impact with the barriers, the Lotus burst into flames and Mr Peterson was taken to hospital in Milan. He died the next day on 11 September 1978, aged 34.

Some have since claimed that had he received medical attention immediately after the accident his life might have been saved. As it was, it took 20 minutes for the Italian circuit to dispatch help to the scene.

It is to Mr Peterson’s credit that, during the years he spent at Lotus as Mr Andretti’s number two, he never questioned the arrangement and remained fiercely loyal to his partner, despite frequently out-qualifying him.

Mr Andretti ultimately clinched the championship in Italy that year. “I knew that trophy would be with me forever,” he later remarked. “And I also knew that Ronnie would have been happy for me.”

Sadly, Mr Peterson had reportedly been offered number one position with McLaren shortly before his death.