Brazilian Formula 1 World Champions

Emerson Fittipaldis F1 title victories in the early 1970s inspired new generations of talented young
Brazilian drivers. Over the following two decades Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna both became
triple Formula 1 champions.
Emerson Fittipaldi, F1 champion with Lotus and McLaren
Until Emerson Fittipaldi arrived in Formula 1 a Brazilian driver had not won a single World
Championship Grand Prix. Fittipaldis talent was immediately obvious to Lotus chief Colin Chapman.
After promising performances in 1970 and 1971 Fittipaldi claimed his maiden F1 title in 1972,
driving the iconic black and gold JPS Lotus Type 72.
Fittipaldi could not prevent Jackie Stewart from taking the F1 title for Tyrrell in 1973, but the
Brazilian regained it the following year having switched to the Marlboro McLaren team. Fittipaldi
may have won more titles in his career had it not been for a disastrous decision to join his family run
Copersucar team. The cars were never capable of winning and rarely made it into points scoring
positions.
After a disappointing end to his Formula 1 career Fittipaldi enjoyed success in Indycar racing. The
pick of his victories stateside came in the 1989 Indianapolis 500, which he won after contact
between his Penske and Danny Sullivans March on the final lap which sent Sullivan into a spin.
Fittipaldis top line career ended in 1996 after a mammoth crash during qualifying at Michigan. He

remained the youngest driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship until Fernando Alonso
triumphed in 2005.
Triple Formula 1 champion Nelson Piquet
While storming to the British Formula 3 title with a record number of victories Nelson Piquet arrived
in Formula 1 with Ensign at the 1978 German Grand Prix. It was not until he moved to Bernie
Ecclestones Brabham team that Piquet tasted victory, and in 1981 championship success. Williams
driver Carlos Reutemann was a strong favourite for the title, until Piquet snatched it from his grasp.
Piquet won the F1 championship again with Brabham in 1983, this time using BMW turbo power. A
switch to Williams-Honda in 1986 saw Piquet join Nigel Mansell. Their relationship was strained at
best, and Piquet pipped Mansell to that years title after the Englishmans tyre exploded during the
Australian Grand Prix.
The final victories of Piquets Formula 1 career came with Benetton. Like Fittipaldi he tried his hand
at Indycar racing, only to suffer a devastating crash at the 1992 Indianapolis 500 which left him with
serious leg injuries. After motor racing Piquet went on to become a highly successful businessman.
His son also called Nelson Piquet had a brief Formula 1 career with Renault.
Brazilian F1 champion Ayrton Senna
Ayrton Senna was a very different character to the laid back Emerson Fittipaldi and the fun loving
but often controversial Nelson Piquet. From early in his Formula 1 career Senna became known for
his absolute dedication to the sport and his goal of becoming world champion. After frequently
brilliant displays with Toleman and Lotus Senna moved to McLaren in 1988, alongside French
veteran Alain Prost.
Senna quickly asserted himself within the team, winning the title from Prost in the extraordinary
McLaren-Honda MP4/4, which won 15 out of 16 races that year. For much of the 1989 Grand Prix
season the team-mates werent on speaking terms, and Prost gained revenge by taking the title after
a controversial collision with Senna at Suzuka. Senna repaid the favour in 1990, taking Prosts
Ferrari out at the same circuit to win his second championship.
Senna was champion again in 1991, but over the following two years McLaren struggled to cope
with the pace of the Williams-Renaults. Senna knew a Williams was essential if he wanted to be
world champion again. He moved there for the 1994 Formula 1 season but the new partnership
ended in tragedy at their third race together. While leading the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola
Sennas Williams crashed into a concrete wall for reasons that have never been explained. The great
Brazilian died in hospital a short time later. No Brazilian driver has won the Formula 1 title since,
although Felipe Massa came agonisingly close in 2008.