On this Friday (23), former Formula 1 driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. passed away at the age of 80. A true São Paulo supporter, the ex-pilot, who celebrated São Paulo’s title in the 2023 Copa do Brasil, is one of the pioneers of motorsport in Brazil, with a rich history.
READ MORE
++ Six Fortaleza players were injured in an attack on their bus
++ Liga de Quito strike late for 1-0 win over Fluminense in Recopa Sudamericana first leg
++ Olympic and World medalist, Pretinha is a temporary assistant for the U-17 National Team
Wilson Fittipaldi dies at 80
One of the pioneers of motorsport in Brazil, Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. passed away at the age of 80 on Friday morning (23). After choking on a piece of meat last Christmas, the former driver was rushed to the hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The ex-pilot was sedated, intubated, and was hospitalized at Hospital Prevent Senior, in the South Zone of São Paulo, where he eventually passed away.
Still in 2023, on his social media, the ex-pilot posted identifying himself as a São Paulo supporter and celebrating the club’s unprecedented Copa do Brasil title.
Wilson Fittipaldi’s story
Wilson Fittipaldi Jr., Brazilian Formula 1 driver and brother of Emerson Fittipaldi, competed in 38 Grand Prix races starting in 1972.
The son of renowned motorsport announcer Wilson Fittipaldi, he also competed in the Challenge of 50,000 kilometers at Interlagos in 1964.
In addition to the tracks, Wilson stood out in car construction, including a Formula 1 project in 1975, being the only Brazilian to achieve such a feat. In the first year, he even drove the car himself.
Creation of a Brazilian racing team
The Fittipaldi Racing Team, also known as Copersucar-Fittipaldi or Skol-Fittipaldi, was a Brazilian Formula 1 team founded in 1975 by brothers Emerson and Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. They debuted at the 1975 Argentine Grand Prix, with Wilson behind the wheel.
Throughout its history, they competed in 104 Grand Prix races. The pioneering car, the FD01 model known as Copersucar, driven by Wilson Fittipaldi Jr, made history as the first Brazilian car to race in Formula 1.
Luciano Peres, communication director of the company that later restored the car, commented on the lack of support the team faced at that time.
“People said the car was very weak, that F1 in Brazil was a joke, and that the team was worthless. And the team began losing its sponsors.”
After this project, no one invested in a new Brazilian racing team, making Fittipaldi Racing Team the first and only one to date.
