Emerson Fittipaldi is one of the most decorated racers in the world. He has won two Formula One Championships and won the Indianapolis 500 twice. This world-class racer hails from Brazil and won countless races across many series and representing various teams. He is a member of the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame.
| BIRTHDATE | December 12, 1946 | F1 WORLD CHAMPION | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| BIRTHPLACE | SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL | INDY 500 WINS | 2 |
| WEIGHT | 154 LBS | INDY CAR CHAMPION | 1 |
| HEIGHT | 5′ 9″ | FORMULA ONE SEASONS | 11 |
| RESIDENCE | FT. LAUDERDALE, FL | INDY CAR SEASONS | 13 |
| TEAMS | Lotus, McLaren, Fittipaldi Automotive | RACES LED | 170 |
| Car Number | No. 5 |
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
First place, Indianapolis 500
First place, CART Championship
Fifth place, CART Championship
First place, Marlboro Challenge
Fourth place, CART Championship
Fittipaldi retired from the European circuit in 1980, intending to manage the family team, but the Fittipaldi Automotive team, lacking credibility and capital, folded in 1982. All told, Fittipaldi ran in 144 Grands Prix, winning fourteen
His Copersucar car proved uncompetitive and unreliable, and he finished the season a miserable 16th in the championship in 1976, 12th in 1977, ninth in 1978, and 21st in 1979.
1978 Formula one, Fittipaldi AutomotiveaHis Copersucar car proved uncompetitive and unreliable, and he finished the season a miserable 16th in the championship in 1976, 12th in 1977, ninth in 1978, and 21st in 1979.
The Fittipaldi F5 was a Formula One car for the 1977 Formula One season. It was driven by Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi. The engine was a Ford Cosworth DFV, with the car achieving three of the team’s 11 points from the season.
After an unsuccessful 1975 season, Wilson Fittipaldi stepped down from driving to look after the management of the team and was replaced by his brother Emerson. Emerson used the Fittipaldi FD04 all season but the FD03 was also entered on one occasion, in the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix driven by Ingo Hoffmann. The FD03 was retired before the South African Grand Prix, as a second FD04 had been built, which was driven by Hoffman.
At the end of 1975, Emerson surprised all the sports world and the motor racing world by leaving the title-winning McLaren team to drive for the unsuccessful family outfit. Future world champion Keke Rosberg took his first podium finish in Formula One with the team.
Fittipaldi left Lotus to sign with the promising McLaren team. Driving the highly efficient McLaren M23, he had three victories in 1974, reached the podium four other times, and beat out Clay Regazzoni in a close battle for his second championship.
At 25 he was then the youngest champion in F1 history. It appeared he might do it again in 1973. But after three wins in four attempts with the 72D, he began to struggle in the new 72E that was unveiled mid-year. It resulted in the reverse of the previous year, with Stewart beating Fittipaldi for the Drivers’ Championship.
After Jochen Rindt was killed at the 1970 Italian Grand Prix, the Brazilian became Lotus’s lead driver in only his fifth Grand Prix. He enjoyed considerable success with Lotus, winning the World Drivers’ Championship in 1972 at the age of 25.
