Teen aims to extend Fittipaldi legend

Almost five decades after Emerson Fittipaldi opened the way for Brazilian drivers in Formula One, his 17-year-old grandson Enzo is keen to carry on the famous name in the series.

The Fittipaldi family has a lot of history in F1: Emerson won 14 races and world titles in 1972 and 1974. His brother Wilson competed in the 1970s in a car crafted by the Fittipaldis. Wilson’s son, Christian, took part in 40 races in the 1990s.

It could soon be Enzo’s turn, after he became the only driver of Ferrari’s academy to win a title this year, with eight wins and 14 pole positions in Italy’s Formula 4.

The teenager hopes to move to Formula 3 next season, eyeing a possible move to Formula One within years.

“I am making the best out of the academy now, we are going step by step,” Enzo said in the Interlagos paddock yesterday before the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Enzo started in go-karts at age 4 with grandfather Emerson in attendance.

“I never forgot that day,” an emotional 71-year-old Fittipaldi said. “He looked at me as he drove, went straight and crashed. I went to say, ‘You need to make the turn, Enzo!’.”

Enzo hopes one day he will be able to race his 22-year-old brother Pietro, who was named as Haas’ test driver for the 2019 season.

“We already race each other in simulators every now and then,” Pietro said. “Racing for real would be a dream.”

Asked what he will do if the two fight for a position in a race, Emerson spoke as a grandfather rather than a racing great. “I will close my eyes for sure.”