Brazil have always had a plethora of talented racing drivers and a number of world champions and race winners, but the man who really kicked it all off for Brazil is Emerson Fittipaldi, who turns 72 today. Born in Sao Paulo, Fittipaldi made his debut for Lotus at the 1970 British Grand Prix, and was quickly thrust into filling the void left by Jochen Rindt’s tragic death. He showed promise in 1971 but 1972 was Fittipaldi’s year, as he took four race wins on his way to a dominant World Championship win. The following year started well with three wins in the opening four races, but unreliability cost him and a disagreement with the team after they refused to implement team orders...
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