Emerson Fittipaldi
JPS Lotus 72
Race Of Champions at Brands Hatch in 1972.
This was the season he became world champion for John Player Team Lotus.
Emerson, the first of the many 'Brilliant Brazilians' to race in Formula One over the years debuted for Gold Leaf Team Lotus in 1970 and won his first Grand Prix in the USA at the end of the year just after team mate Jochen Rindt had been killed in the Italian GP.
In 1972 he won the F1 world championship for John Player Special Team Lotus and was for many years the youngest man ever to hold the title. He joined Mclaren in 1974, won the world title again and was a leading running in 1975 as well winning the famously rain soaked British GP while in the pits...the race being red flagged and the result backdated a lap..when he was actually in the lead on the road.
In 1976 he joined brother Wilson in the Copersucar Fittipladi team, initially a patriotic all-Brazilian effort, staying with them until he retired temporarily in 1980.
In 1984 he returned to racing in Indycar events, went on to win the Indy 500, drive for the famous Penske team and become the main challenger to fellow F1 world champion Nigel Mansell during his debut season in 1993.
His glittering career came to an end when a racing accident folowed by an air crash left him with a bad back injury.
10x7 inch (254x178mm)
