Early Years and Beginnings in Racing
Emerson Fittipaldi, born on 12 December 1946 in São Paulo, Brazil, was immersed in the world of motorsports from a young age. His father, a prominent motorsports journalist, and his mother, of Polish and Russian descent, both had a passion for racing. Emerson, named after the American author Ralph Waldo Emerson, began his racing career on motorcycles at the age of 14 and later moved to hydroplanes. However, a dramatic boat racing accident involving his brother Wilson shifted their focus to land vehicles. By 20, Emerson had won the 6 Hours of Interlagos in a Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. His success in Brazilian Formula Vee, where he won the title at 21, led him to Europe in 1969. There, he quickly made a name for himself in Formula Ford and Formula Three, winning the 1969 F3 MCD Lombard Championship.
Major Successes and Highlights
Fittipaldi’s Formula One debut came in 1970 with Team Lotus at the British Grand Prix. His rise was meteoric; following Jochen Rindt’s tragic death, he became Lotus’s lead driver in just his fifth Grand Prix. In 1972, at 25, he became the youngest F1 world champion at the time, a record he held for 33 years. He won the championship again in 1974 with McLaren, contributing to their first Constructors’ Championship. Despite his success, he made a surprising move to his brother’s Fittipaldi Automotive team in 1976. His final years in Formula One saw diminishing returns, and he retired in 1980. Fittipaldi then transitioned to the American CART series, achieving significant success, including the 1989 CART title and two Indianapolis 500 wins.
Life and Legacy
After retiring from Indy Car racing in 1996, Fittipaldi’s involvement in motorsports continued, albeit in different capacities. He occasionally raced, such as in the 2014 6 Hours of São Paulo at age 67. In 2008, he was honored with a Corvette production car named after him. His contributions extend beyond the track; he was the acting team principal for the Brazilian A1 GP entry and competed in the Brazilian GT3 Championship. Fittipaldi also embraced social media and became a Chairman of Motorsport.com. His legacy is cemented in the motorsports world, not only for his racing achievements but also for his enduring influence in various aspects of the sport.
Career Stats
| Year | Entrant | Chassis | Engine | WDC Position | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Gold Leaf Team Lotus | Lotus 49C / Lotus 72C | Ford V8 | 10th | 12 |
| 1971 | Gold Leaf Team Lotus / World Wide Racing | Lotus 72C / Lotus 72D / Lotus 56B | Ford V8 / P&W gas turbine | 6th | 16 |
| 1972 | John Player Team Lotus / World Wide Racing | Lotus 72D | Ford V8 | 1st | 61 |
| 1973 | John Player Team Lotus | Lotus 72D / Lotus 72E | Ford V8 | 2nd | 55 |
| 1974 | Marlboro Team Texaco | McLaren M23 | Ford V8 | 1st | 55 |
| 1975 | Marlboro Team McLaren | McLaren M23 | Ford V8 | 2nd | 45 |
| 1976 | Copersucar-Fittipaldi | Fittipaldi FD04 | Ford V8 | 17th | 3 |
| 1977 | Copersucar-Fittipaldi | Fittipaldi FD04 / Fittipaldi F5 | Ford V8 | 12th | 11 |
| 1978 | Fittipaldi Automotive | Fittipaldi F5A | Ford V8 | 10th | 17 |
| 1979 | Fittipaldi Automotive | Fittipaldi F5A / Fittipaldi F6 / Fittipaldi F6A | Ford V8 | 21st | 1 |
| 1980 | Skol Fittipaldi Team | Fittipaldi F7 / Fittipaldi F8 | Ford V8 | 15th | 5 |