He was the first Brazilian to scale the pinnacle of Formula 1, kicking open a door for the likes of Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna. While it’s now half a century since he moved to McLaren and claimed his second F1 world championship, that was just another waypoint for a driver who would also win the Indianapolis 500 twice…
WORDS CHARLES BRADLEY PORTRAITS ERIC GILBERT
The trailblazer for Brazilians who dreamed of racing in Formula 1, Emerson Fittipaldi dared not only to reach the top of the sport but conquered the world on two occasions with Lotus and McLaren. He paved the way for Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna to emulate his success as multiple title-winning countrymen amidst a wave of Brazilian racing stars.
Aged 25 in 1972, Fittipaldi held the mantle of the youngest F1 world champion for 33 years, moving his great friend and rival Jackie Stewart to state: “Emerson arrived in F1 like a rocketship.”
He claimed 14 grand prix victories and 35 podiums over his decade in F1. Fittipaldi then took on the challenge of IndyCar racing in America, twice capturing its greatest race – the Indianapolis 500 – and winning another title.
These days he’s supporting the career of his 16-year-old son Emerson Jr (aka: ‘Little Emmo’) who is climbing the junior single-seater ladder in Europe. GP Racing catches up with ‘Big Emmo’ in Miami, the day after celebrating his 77th birthday…
GP Racing: Emerson, as the original Brazilian F1 world champion, coming to Europe to set the path followed by Piquet and Senna, how do you feel about creating this trend?
Emerson Fittipaldi: I feel very, very proud to have been the first one. After me, and before Nelson and Ayrton, was my brother Wilson and Carlos Pace. I called us ‘The Three Musketeers!’ Then there was an amazing number of Brazilian drivers across 50 years, that was fantastic. Until now, when we’re missing them from F1.
GPR: You started racing 50cc bikes, even hydroplane boats, before you started karting…
EF: You could only go karting in Brazil from 17. I started racing bikes at 14. I was loaned an Italian bike, a four-stroke 50cc, by Adu Celso, who was the first Brazilian to race in the 500cc World Championship. He was a very good friend of mine from childhood.
GPR: And you were Wilson’s kart mechanic?
EF: And Carlos Pace’s also! I kept them immaculate. So that meant when I was old enough, because he was Wilson’s age, Carlos lent me his own kart for a rookie race. We were total enthusiasts.
