Emerson Fittipaldi
born 12 Dec 1946 · raced 1970–1980
Emerson Fittipaldi, a Brazilian prodigy, burst onto the Formula 1 scene with remarkable speed and adaptability, becoming the youngest world champion at the time in 1972. Known for his smooth yet assertive driving style, he was a key figure in the rise of Lotus and later McLaren, securing 2 World Championships. His career spanned 143 starts, yielding 14 victories and 35 podium finishes. Fittipaldi's impact extended beyond F1, as he later achieved significant success in American open-wheel racing, including two Indianapolis 500 wins.
All-time records
Where Emerson Fittipaldi ranks in the all-time Formula 1 record books.
- =8th in Most F1 Championship Runner-Up Finishes (2 runner-up finishes)
- =12th in Most F1 Drivers’ Championships (2 titles)
- 13th in Youngest F1 Race Winners (23y 296d)
- =15th in Closest F1 Championship Finishes (3 points)
- =17th in Most Consecutive F1 Seasons With a Win (4 consecutive seasons with a win)
- =19th in Most Different Circuits Won At in F1 (11 circuits)
Top Teams
Team | Wins | Pod.Podiums | PtsPoints (as awarded) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team Lotus | 9 | 17 | 128 |
| McLaren | 5 | 13 | 100 |
| Fittipaldi | 0 | 2 | 37 |
| Lotus-Ford | 0 | 3 | 16 |
| Lotus-Pratt & Whitney | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Top Circuits
Circuit | Wins | Avg ptsAvg Points (as awarded) |
|---|---|---|
| Autódromo José Carlos Pace | 2 | 3.86 |
| Autodromo Nazionale di Monza | 1 | 3.38 |
| Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez | 2 | 2.75 |
| Brands Hatch | 1 | 2.67 |
| Silverstone Circuit | 1 | 2.6 |
| Mosport International Raceway | 1 | 2.5 |
| Circuit de Monaco | 0 | 2.2 |
| Jarama | 1 | 2.17 |
| Watkins Glen | 1 | 1.91 |
| Red Bull Ring | 1 | 1.64 |
Points are Grand Prix points as awarded at the time (sprints excluded); average points are per race started.
Most-shared teammates. Each link opens their head-to-head.
- Denny Hulme15 shared races · Compare with Denny Hulme (1974)
- Ronnie Peterson15 shared races · Compare with Ronnie Peterson (1973)
- Jochen Mass13 shared races · Compare with Jochen Mass (1975)
- Keke Rosberg11 shared races · Compare with Keke Rosberg (1980)
- Mike Hailwood11 shared races · Compare with Mike Hailwood (1974)
- David Walker10 shared races · Compare with David Walker (1972)
| Season | Championship position | Wins | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | 156 places higher than 1979 | 0 | 5 |
| 1979 | 2111 places lower than 1978 | 0 | 1 |
| 1978 | 102 places higher than 1977 | 0 | 17 |
| 1977 | 125 places higher than 1976 | 0 | 11 |
| 1976 | 1715 places lower than 1975 | 0 | 3 |
| 1975 | 21 place lower than 1974 | 2 | 45 |
| 1974 | 11 place higher than 1973 | 3 | 55 |
| 1973 | 21 place lower than 1972 | 3 | 55 |
| 1972 | 15 places higher than 1971 | 5 | 61 |
| 1971 | 64 places higher than 1970 | 0 | 16 |
| 1970 | 10 | 1 | 12 |
| Season | Team | Matchup | Race |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Fittipaldi | Fittipaldi vs RosbergEmerson Fittipaldi vs Keke Rosberg | 5–6 |
| 1975 | McLaren | Fittipaldi vs MassEmerson Fittipaldi vs Jochen Mass | 9–4 |
| 1974 | McLaren | Fittipaldi vs HulmeEmerson Fittipaldi vs Denny Hulme | 12–3 |
| 1974 | McLaren | Fittipaldi vs HailwoodEmerson Fittipaldi vs Mike Hailwood | 7–4 |
| 1973 | Team Lotus | Fittipaldi vs PetersonEmerson Fittipaldi vs Ronnie Peterson | 8–7 |
| 1972 | Team Lotus | Fittipaldi vs WalkerEmerson Fittipaldi vs David Walker | 9–1 |
| 1972 | Team Lotus | Charlton vs FittipaldiDave Charlton vs Emerson Fittipaldi | 0–3 |
| 1971 | Lotus-Ford | Fittipaldi vs WisellEmerson Fittipaldi vs Reine Wisell | 4–4 |
20 circuitsShow all▾
- Autódromo José Carlos Pace
- Autódromo Juan y Oscar Gálvez
- Autodromo Nazionale di Monza
- Brands Hatch
- Silverstone Circuit
- Mosport International Raceway
- Jarama
- Watkins Glen
- Red Bull Ring
- Circuit de Monaco
- Hockenheimring
- Long Beach
- Circuit Paul Ricard
- Circuit Park Zandvoort
- Kyalami
- Zolder
- Scandinavian Raceway
- Nürburgring
- Circuit Gilles Villeneuve
- Dijon-Prenois
198014 racesFittipaldi▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 16 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 15 | Accident | 0 | |
| 21 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 23 | P11 | 0 | |
| 12 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 22 | P12 | 0 | |
| 24 | Engine | 0 | |
| 18 | P6 | 1 | |
| 24 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 24 | P36 places better than season average (P9.2) | 4 | |
| 18 | P8 | 0 | |
| 19 | P156 places worse than season average (P9.2) | 0 | |
| 24 | Not classified | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1980 (P9.2, retirements excluded).
Earlier seasons1970–1979 (10 seasons)▾
197915 racesFittipaldi▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | P7 | 0 | |
| 15 | P8 | 0 | |
| 20 | P8 | 0 | |
| 21 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 12 | Brakes | 0 | |
| 22 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 22 | Engine | 0 | |
| 18 | Engine | 0 | |
| 17 | Engine | 0 | |
| 23 | P9 | 0 | |
| 19 | P11 | 0 | |
| 16 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 18 | P13 | 0 | |
| 9 | P11 | 0 | |
| 11 | P6 | 1 |
197816 racesFittipaldi▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Accident | 0 | |
| 13 | P5 | 2 | |
| 13 | P8 | 0 | |
| 10 | P5 | 2 | |
| 6 | P4 | 3 | |
| 10 | P4 | 3 | |
| 11 | Engine | 0 | |
| 15 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 13 | P6 | 1 | |
| 15 | Throttle | 0 | |
| 15 | Accident | 0 | |
| 20 | P9 | 0 | |
| 15 | P8 | 0 | |
| 16 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 7 | P24 places better than season average (P6.0) | 6 | |
| 17 | P9 | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1978 (P6.0, retirements excluded).
197714 racesFittipaldi▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Engine | 0 | |
| 18 | P13 | 0 | |
| 17 | P45 places better than season average (P9.4) | 3 | |
| 23 | P11 | 0 | |
| 22 | Throttle | 0 | |
| 22 | P11 | 0 | |
| 18 | P189 places worse than season average (P9.4) | 0 | |
| 16 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 18 | Engine | 0 | |
| 19 | P145 places worse than season average (P9.4) | 0 | |
| 7 | P54 places better than season average (P9.4) | 2 | |
| 9 | P10 | 0 | |
| 16 | P45 places better than season average (P9.4) | 3 | |
| 16 | P45 places better than season average (P9.4) | 3 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1977 (P9.4, retirements excluded).
197615 racesFittipaldi▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Withdrew | 0 | |
| 15 | P9 | 0 | |
| 17 | Exhaust | 0 | |
| 20 | P154 places worse than season average (P10.6) | 0 | |
| 17 | Electrical | 0 | |
| 17 | Accident | 0 | |
| 20 | P13 | 0 | |
| 21 | P65 places better than season average (P10.6) | 1 | |
| 21 | Oil pressure | 0 | |
| 21 | Handling | 0 | |
| 7 | P65 places better than season average (P10.6) | 1 | |
| 19 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 16 | P65 places better than season average (P10.6) | 1 | |
| 21 | P176 places worse than season average (P10.6) | 0 | |
| 5 | P13 | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1976 (P10.6, retirements excluded).
197514 races, 2 winsMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | P95 places worse than season average (P3.8) | 0 | |
| 8 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 7 | P1 | 9 | |
| 10 | P4 | 3 | |
| 6 | Engine | 0 | |
| 11 | P84 places worse than season average (P3.8) | 0 | |
| 8 | P7 | 0 | |
| 9 | P2 | 6 | |
| 26 | Withdrew | 0 | |
| 11 | Not classified | 0 | |
| 2 | P2 | 6 | |
| 5 | P1 | 9 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1975 (P3.8, retirements excluded).
197415 races, 3 winsMcLaren▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | P4 | 3 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 6 | P2 | 6 | |
| 3 | Engine | 0 | |
| 3 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 8 | P2 | 6 | |
| 5 | Engine | 0 | |
| 3 | P3 | 4 | |
| 9 | P4 | 3 | |
| 13 | P5 | 2 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 4 | P3 | 4 | |
| 5 | P7 | 0 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | P106 places worse than season average (P3.6) | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1974 (P3.6, retirements excluded).
197315 races, 3 winsTeam Lotus▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | P6 | 1 | |
| 5 | P2 | 6 | |
| 4 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | Fuel system | 0 | |
| 14 | P6 | 1 | |
| 16 | Physical | 0 | |
| 5 | Transmission | 0 | |
| 3 | Accident | 0 | |
| 4 | P128 places worse than season average (P3.5) | 0 | |
| 5 | P2 | 6 | |
| 9 | P3 | 4 | |
| 7 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | P3 | 4 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1973 (P3.5, retirements excluded).
197212 races, 5 winsTeam Lotus▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | Suspension | 0 | |
| 4 | P118 places worse than season average (P2.6) | 0 | |
| 4 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | Gearbox | 0 | |
| 2 | P1 | 9 | |
| 8 | P2 | 6 | |
| 1 | P1 | 9 | |
| 1 | P3 | 4 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| 3 | P2 | 6 | |
| 5 | Suspension | 0 |
▲/▼ a finish at least 4 places better/worse than Emerson Fittipaldi’s average finish in 1972 (P2.6, retirements excluded).
197110 races▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
Lotus-FordUnited States GPUnited States Grand Prix | 2 | Not classified | 0 |
Lotus-FordCanadian GPCanadian Grand Prix | 4 | P7 | 0 |
Lotus-Pratt & WhitneyItalian GPItalian Grand Prix | 18 | P8 | 0 |
Lotus-FordAustrian GPAustrian Grand Prix | 5 | P2 | 6 |
Lotus-FordGerman GPGerman Grand Prix | 8 | Oil leak | 0 |
Lotus-FordBritish GPBritish Grand Prix | 4 | P3 | 4 |
Lotus-FordFrench GPFrench Grand Prix | 17 | P3 | 4 |
Lotus-FordMonaco GPMonaco Grand Prix | 17 | P5 | 2 |
Lotus-FordSpanish GPSpanish Grand Prix | 14 | Suspension | 0 |
Lotus-FordSouth African GPSouth African Grand Prix | 5 | Engine | 0 |
19706 races, 1 winTeam Lotus▾
| Grand Prix | Grid | Result | PtsPoints |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | Engine | 0 | |
| 3 | P1 | 9 | |
| — | Withdrew | 0 | |
| 16 | P15 | 0 | |
| 13 | P4 | 3 | |
| 21 | P8 | 0 |