Emerson Fittipaldi

Emerson Fittipaldi was the Brazilian pioneer who became Formula 1's youngest World Champion of his time and opened the door for his nation's golden generation of drivers. Born in Sao Paulo in 1946, he won two world titles and later conquered American open-wheel racing, making him one of motorsport's most accomplished and versatile figures.

Fittipaldi made a rapid rise with Lotus, winning the 1972 World Championship to become, at 25, the youngest champion then in history. He added a second crown with McLaren in 1974, then made the bold and controversial decision to join his brother's Fittipaldi family team, which curtailed his front-running F1 career. Across his Grand Prix years he scored 14 wins, 35 podiums and 6 pole positions in 146 starts.

After Formula 1, Fittipaldi reinvented himself in America, winning the CART championship and twice triumphing at the Indianapolis 500, in 1989 and 1993. His success inspired countrymen such as Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna and made him a national hero in Brazil.

Fittipaldi was a smooth, intelligent and adaptable racer, equally at home in the championship-winning Lotus and McLaren machines and later in the very different world of American oval racing. His pioneering success made Brazil a Formula 1 superpower and laid the foundation for the Piquet and Senna eras. As a double F1 champion and double Indy 500 winner, his place among the most complete drivers in history is secure.