Ahead of the 2025 F1 Brazilian Grand Prix, in a McLaren event, Fittipaldi bumped into an Ayrton Senna picture. After doing so, the Brazilian champion put his index finger up and stated in Portuguese: “The number 1,” in clear reference to whom he believed to be the best F1 driver in the history of the sport.

One of Fittipaldi’s not so well known facts, is that back in the day, he not only served as driver, but also as team owner, debuting the Copersucar F1 outfit in 1975. The next season both Brazilian legends would meet on the grid during the Brazilian Grand Prix, when Senna was in his teenage years.

Reflecting now on the momentous occasion Fittipaldi added: “He came with his father to my pit box.

When Senna found himself unable to make the move to Williams ahead of the 1993 season, Fittipaldi played a key role in the three-time world champion’s negotiations with McLaren helping to arrange an IndyCar test with Penske, the team he raced for in the American series, for Senna.

Delving further into their relationship Fittipaldi revealed: “We would always watch each other’s races, even when I moved to America to race in IndyCar. Every year, at the end of the season, we would have a dinner in December in São Paulo to talk and exchange ideas. He was a very special talent, very gifted,” he concluded.

Speaking on the James Allen Podcast, Adrian Newey said Senna was one of the two most outstanding talents he's ever worked in Formula 1, recalling the Brazilian’s intense technical curiosity during his first visit to the Williams factory and how challenging his questions were.

The British F1 designer also praised Max Verstappen as “absolutely outstanding,” highlighting his maturity, ability to handle pressure, and focus once in the car. Read his full statements here.

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