Emerson Fittipaldi’s F1 title victories in the early 1970s inspired new generations of talented young Brazilian drivers. Over the following two decades Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna both became triple Formula 1 champions.
Emerson Fittipaldi, F1 champion with Lotus and McLaren
Until Emerson Fittipaldi arrived in Formula 1 a Brazilian driver had not won a single World Championship Grand Prix. Fittipaldi’s talent was immediately obvious to Lotus chief Colin Chapman. After promising performances in 1970 and 1971 Fittipaldi claimed his maiden F1 title in 1972, driving the iconic black and gold JPS Lotus Type 72.
Fittipaldi could not prevent Jackie Stewart from taking the F1 title for Tyrrell in 1973, but the Brazilian regained it the following year having switched to the Marlboro McLaren team. Fittipaldi may have won more titles in his career had it not been for a disastrous decision to join his family run Copersucar team. The cars were never capable of winning and rarely made it into points scoring positions.
After a disappointing end to his Formula 1 career Fittipaldi enjoyed success in Indycar racing. The pick of his victories stateside came in the 1989 Indianapolis 500, which he won after contact between his Penske and Danny Sullivan’s March on the final lap which sent Sullivan into a spin. Fittipaldi’s top line career ended in 1996 after a mammoth crash during qualifying at Michigan. He remained the youngest driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship until Fernando Alonso triumphed in 2005.
Triple Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet
While storming to the British Formula 3 title with a record number of victories Nelson Piquet arrived in Formula 1 with Ensign at the 1978 German Grand Prix. It was not until he moved to Bernie Ecclestone’s Brabham team that Piquet tasted victory, and in 1981 championship success. Williams driver Carlos Reutemann was a strong favourite for the title, until Piquet snatched it from his grasp.
Piquet won the F1 championship again with Brabham in 1983, this time using BMW turbo power. A switch to Williams-Honda in 1986 saw Piquet join Nigel Mansell. Their relationship was strained at best, and Piquet pipped Mansell to that year’s title after the Englishman’s tyre exploded during the Australian Grand Prix.
The final victories of Piquet’s Formula 1 career came with Benetton. Like Fittipaldi he tried his hand at Indycar racing, only to suffer a devastating crash at the 1992 Indianapolis 500 which left him with serious leg injuries. After motor racing Piquet went on to become a highly successful businessman. His son – also called Nelson Piquet – had a brief Formula 1 career with Renault.
Brazilian F1 champion Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna was a very different character to the laid back Emerson Fittipaldi and the fun loving but often controversial Nelson Piquet. From early in his Formula 1 career Senna became known for his absolute dedication to the sport and his goal of becoming world champion. After frequently brilliant displays with Toleman and Lotus Senna moved to McLaren in 1988, alongside French veteran Alain Prost.
Senna quickly asserted himself within the team, winning the title from Prost in the extraordinary McLaren-Honda MP4/4, which won 15 out of 16 races that year. For much of the 1989 Grand Prix season the team-mates weren’t on speaking terms, and Prost gained revenge by taking the title after a controversial collision with Senna at Suzuka. Senna repaid the favour in 1990, taking Prost’s Ferrari out at the same circuit to win his second championship.
Senna was champion again in 1991, but over the following two years McLaren struggled to cope with the pace of the Williams-Renaults. Senna knew a Williams was essential if he wanted to be world champion again. He moved there for the 1994 Formula 1 season but the new partnership ended in tragedy at their third race together. While leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola Senna’s Williams crashed into a concrete wall for reasons that have never been explained. The great Brazilian died in hospital a short time later. No Brazilian driver has won the Formula 1 title since, although Felipe Massa came agonisingly close in 2008.
Kevin Guthrie - Kevin is based in Fife, Scotland, where he works as a music teacher, professional drummer and freelance writer. At an early age he ...
