Emerson Fittipaldi shares insights on his daring decision to leave McLaren at the height of his career to start his own F1 team. The former champion discusses this pivotal moment and his ongoing passion for the sport.
Why would a two-time Formula 1 World Champion leave a successful team like McLaren to venture into the unknown? Emerson Fittipaldi did just that for the 1976 season, stepping away from the comfort of a winning car to establish his own team, Copersucar, in Brazil. Decades later, Fittipaldi joined Tom Clarkson on the _Beyond The Grid_ podcast to revisit this bold chapter in his racing life.
Fittipaldi, alongside his brother Wilson, embarked on this adventure to create something new in their home country. He recounted the journey that led him there, including his championship wins with Lotus and McLaren, and the tantalizing discussions he once had with Ferrari that could have altered his career path.
Despite the challenges he faced with his own team, Fittipaldi's passion for Formula 1 remains undiminished. Recently, he drove his championship-winning McLaren M23 in a showrun in Miami, a testament to his enduring connection with the sport. He also keeps up with the current grid, weighing in on Kimi Antonelli's promising start to the 2026 season.
For more of Fittipaldi's insights and to hear the full conversation, tune into the episode via your preferred podcast platform. You can delve into the _Beyond The Grid_ archive to explore interviews spanning the history of Formula 1.