LEGENDS: Emerson Fittipaldi’s ‘courage’ + ‘risk’ to become World Champion

F1: Beyond The Grid

karenellenbevan

Leisure, Sports, Technology, Automotive

4.8 • 5.2K Ratings

🗓️ 10 June 2025

⏱️ 52 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Emerson Fittipaldi made history with Lotus in 1972 by becoming the first Brazilian to win the Formula 1 World Championship. In 1974, he won the title again with McLaren.

Emerson’s achievements on track are legendary, but his actions off track are just as iconic.

In a special F1 Beyond The Grid Legends episode, Emerson tells Tom Clarkson why he refused to take part in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, the extensive medical precautions he had in place during race weekends, and how he and some of the sport’s other big names at the time helped improve safety in the sport.

Emerson also talks about leaving Brazil for the UK to pursue his racing career, forming his own Brazilian F1 team, and the incredible phone call he received from Enzo Ferrari after Niki Lauda’s serious accident in 1976.

Plus, which current F1 driver reminds Emerson of himself? What impresses him the most about Max Verstappen? And how does he view this year’s title battle between McLaren teammates Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris?

This episode is sponsored by MasterClass: see MasterClass’s latest deal–at least 15% off–at masterclass.com/GRID

Transcript

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1:00.4	A two-time world champion and the first Brazilian to win Formula One's greatest prize.
1:09.4	Emerson Fideldi's legacy is unquestionable.
1:13.2	He won the driver's title with Lotus in 1972, and again with McLaren in 1974, paving
1:20.0	the way for compatriots Nelson Piquet and Ayrton Senna to follow in his footsteps.
1:25.4	But Emerson's wins weren't without risk.
1:28.5	When I leave home, I think myself,
1:31.7	I'm going to be back Sunday or not.
1:34.5	But when I arrived at the paddock,
	...

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