“I think that I was put on this earth to drive racing cars”

The twice world champion started with motorbike races. In 1964, Emerson Fittipaldi and his brother, Wilson, created the first “Fitti karts”. Emerson decided to use them on track and they bagged more clients after every victory. In 1968, he moved to England, to make his debut in Formula Ford. In 1969, hired by Jim Russel for the F3 he won eight races out of twelve with a Lotus 59.

Colin Chapman didn’t let his talent get away from him and, as well as the F2 contract, in 1970 he also had him start his F1 career in a Lotus 49C at Brands Hatch. He had to face the harsh reality of danger after the death of Rindt in Monza. At Watkins Glen he saw Chapman throw his cap in the air and, he incredulously celebrated his first victory. 1972 saw one success after another, he came first in the GPs in Spain, Belgium, Great Britain, Austria and Italy. He mathematically won his first world championship.

In 1973, the fight for the world championship was between Lotus and Tyrell, but the “Flying Scotsman” was the one to succeed. In 1974, Fittipaldi moved on To McLaren and the world championship was decided in the last race between Rega and Fitti. At Watkins Glen, the Brazilian driver won his second world championship. He came second in the 1975 world championship, his endeavour on the wet track in Silverstone was epic. From 1976 to 1980 he raced in a Brazilian car, the Copersucar, with the Fittipaldi team. After retiring from F1, he excelled in the 1989 CART championship and twice in the IndyCar Series.