Fittipaldi wants less PR-polished drivers: 'And more right foot' action

For days leading up to the season finale, the paddock was reeling because of a rift between Max Verstappen and George Russell. Brazilian former champion Emerson Fittipaldi enjoyed the widely publicised media feud between the two top drivers.

According to Racer.com, the former Formula One world champion believes this drama is "what we need in motorsport". Fittipaldi explained, "I like it a lot, because it shows the personality of each athlete. It doesn’t matter what sport you do, the public want to see who’s behind."

In Formula 1, it is not common for drivers to be so verbally harsh towards each other in the media. If it were up to Fittipaldi, that would change as he would welcome a more candid version of the drivers' personalities. “It’s great to see this. I like it, and I think you should have less PR people around the drivers and more right foot. When the flags drop, the bull**** stops. That’s it. That’s what we need in motorsport.”

Next season, the Formula 1 grid will feature a Brazilian driver, much to the delight of Fittipaldi. The Brazilian legend has great faith in Gabriel Bortoleto, who will step in at Sauber. "I’m telling all the European drivers, be watching, because there’s young Brazilians coming along, taking many good places. We need our space back again.”

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