Happy Birthday Emerson Fittipaldi!

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 at the Italian Grand Prix, leaving Fittipadi second behind team mate Ronnie Peterson and further denting his hopes of a second title.

He moved to McLaren for the 1974 season and found instant success, winning the title once again. The following year he couldn’t quite match Niki Lauda and Ferrari finishing second in the standings once again.

Still only 29, he then made the strange decision to set up his own team with his brother Wilson. Over the next five years, Emerson never finished higher than tenth in the standings, and only mustered one further podium.

Despite the quiet end to his career, Fittipaldi’s legacy was already confirmed. To one of the all-time F1 greats, from all at GPBlog, have a happy birthday!