The victory that forever 'impacted' Brazilian motorsport history

07:40, 04 Nov

Updated: 07:42, 04 Nov

byKada Sarkozi

Brazil’s first Formula 1 Grand Prix winner, Emerson Fittipaldi, explained how the sport became so popular in his country following his breakthrough victory in 1970.

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Fittipaldi made his debut in the competition in 1970 with Lotus at the British Grand Prix. He scored his first points a race later in Germany, and won the penultimate round at Watkins Glen in the United States.

Speaking to McLaren Racing's website, he explained how that triumph transformed the country. He said: "Everybody was surprised.

“My first win was the US Grand Prix in 1970, and it was all over the news in Brazil. A Brazilian driver winning a Grand Prix had a big impact in Brazil with the young people and with the media. Formula 1 became very popular in Brazil. First, it was football, but then it was motor racing!”

After winning his first title in 1972, he became the country’s first world champion before drivers like Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna followed in his footsteps.

He signed with McLaren in 1974, where he won his second title immediately in his first campaign. "There was a lot of expectation because I had left Lotus, and everyone was questioning whether I was going to be successful with McLaren.

"Going to Brazil and winning at home was so important. There was huge enthusiasm from the Brazilian people for a Brazilian to win the Brazilian Grand Prix with McLaren.”

Fittipaldi with Gabriel Bortoleto on the the F2 podium in 2024 - Photo: Race Pictures

Matching football

The driver also explained that nowadays, Formula 1 drivers enjoy the same reputation as footballers, and that his success inspired many young Brazilians to dream of reaching the competition themselves.

For the first time in years, a young Brazilian talent is back on the grid: Gabriel Bortoleto. Meanwhile, fellow Brazilian Rafael Câmara also won the Formula 3 title this season.

Fittipaldi added: "From then, we had all of these young people looking at F1, thinking that one day they could be there.

"The roots of F1 were being developed. We had a very competitive karting scene in Brazil and a lot of dedication to make it. Brazil is a huge country and there were now talents coming through to F1."

Camara won the F3 title this year - Photo: Race Pictures

He concluded: "Now, Brazilian racing drivers have nearly the same reputation as Brazilian football players. You can go anywhere in the world, and people can name a Brazilian football player.

"Now, you can go anywhere in the world, and people can name a Brazilian racing driver – Ayrton Senna, Nelson Piquet, Rubens Barrichello, Felipe Massa – that is a fantastic reputation to have, and I am so happy to have played a small part in this."

The Formula 1 season continues this weekend in Interlagos. Will the famous Brazilian GP rain return? Read our weather report here!

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