Formula 1 was left in a state of shock on this day in 1978 when it was revealed that Ronnie Peterson had died over the night following his first-lap accident in the Italian GP the day before. The race's massive pile-up which occurred shortly after the start had been the result of a chain reaction which had started when Riccardo Patrese collided with James Hunt on the run down to the first chicane. Peterson's Lotus hit the barriers and burst into flames but its driver was quickly pulled out of harm's way by Hunt, fully conscious and with what appeared to be two badly broken legs. Sunday evening, the Swede was reported to be in a stable condition and his injuries were not considered...
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