Development
Fittipaldi Automotive, Fittipaldi was formed by the Fittipaldi Brothers (Wilson Fittipaldi Junior, Wilson and Emerson Fittipaldi, Emerson). In late 1973, the brothers decided to start their own Formula One team. The 1974 season was spent setting up the new team, which was to have a strong Brazilian flavour. Wilson was able to persuade Brazilian sugar and alcohol cooperative Copersucar to act as sponsor. Emerson acted as a consultant to the team whilst still driving for McLaren (racing), McLaren. The Copersucar-branded car was designed by Brazilian Richard Divila, who had worked for Fittipaldi, designing Formula Vee and Formula Two cars, and modifying their Team Lotus, Lotus and Brabham chassis. National aerospace company Embraer was also involved, supplying materials to the fledgling team and providing wind-tunnel time. Mexican Jo Ramírez was hired as team manager. The team was based in Brazil, almost 6,000 miles (10,000 km) away from the United Kingdom, a bold move given the overwhelmingly British nature of Formula One technology from the 1960s onwards. The long and low FD01, with bulbous bodywork enclosing the engine and unusual rear-mounted radiators, painted in silver with rainbow markings on the flanks, was unveiled in October 1974 at the Federal Senate of Brazil, Federal Senate in Brasilia in the presence of President Ernesto Geisel. Like Brabham's BT series of cars (Jack Brabham, Brabham and Ron Tauranac, Tauranac), the car's FD designation reflected the initials of the driver and the designer (Fittipaldi and Divila).Racing history
1975
The chassis' first race was the 1975 Argentine Grand Prix, Argentine Grand Prix. Wilson retired after he crashed the FD01, the car subsequently catching fire, on lap 13 of its only race. The FD01 was uncompetitive and was replaced by the Fittipaldi FD02 which had a bigger airbox and new sidepods. The Fittipaldi FD02 was raced six times in 1975. Its debut was at the 1975 Brazilian Grand Prix, Brazilian Grand Prix. Wilson finished 12th. Then he failed to qualify for 1975 South African Grand Prix, South Africa. Fittipaldi withdrew from the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix, Spanish Grand Prix protesting that the barriers at the Montjuich circuit were not bolted together properly. Then he failed to qualify for 1975 Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco, because the grid was staggered and in addition was restricted to just 18 cars. Fittipaldi finished 12th in 1975 Belgian Grand Prix, Belgian and 17th in 1975 Swedish Grand Prix, Sweden. The FD02 was replaced by the Fittipaldi FD03. The FD03 raced seven times in 1975. Its debut was at the 1975 Dutch Grand Prix where Wilson finished 11th. The Brazilian retired in 1975 French Grand Prix, France with engine failure. Fittipaldi finished 19th at the 1975 British Grand Prix, British Grand Prix, after he, Dave Morgan (racing driver), Dave Morgan (Surtees), John Nicholson (racing driver), John Nicholson, (Lyncar), Brian Henton, (Team Lotus, Lotus), Tony Brise (Embassy Hill, Hill), Carlos Pace (Brabham), Jody Scheckter (Tyrrell Racing, Tyrrell) and James Hunt (Hesketh Racing, Hesketh) went off at Club Corner and the race was Red flag (racing), red flagged. The Brazilian retired in 1975 German Grand Prix, Germany when his engine blew. Fittipaldi failed to qualify for the 1975 Austrian Grand Prix, Austrian Grand Prix after crashing in practice and breaking two bones in his hand. Italian Arturo Merzario replaced Fittipaldi for Merzario's home race in 1975 Italian Grand Prix, Italy and finished 11th. Fittipaldi returned for the 1975 United States Grand Prix, United States Grand Prix and finished tenth.1976
After an unsuccessful season, Wilson Fittipaldi stepped down from driving to look after the management of the team and was replaced by his brother Emerson Fittipaldi, Emerson. Emerson used the Fittipaldi FD04 all season but the FD03 was also entered on one occasion, in the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix driven by Ingo Hoffmann. The FD03 was retired before the 1976 South African Grand Prix, South African Grand Prix, as a second FD04 had been built, which was driven by Hoffman. The FD04's first race was the 1976 Brazilian Grand Prix. Driven by Emerson Fittipaldi, it finished 13th. Teammate Hoffmann also from Brazil, finished 11th in the FD03. The team only entered Emerson Fittipaldi for 1976 South African Grand Prix, South Africa where he finished seventeenth despite an engine failure. Hoffmann returned for the 1976 United States Grand Prix West, United States Grand Prix West but failed to qualify and Fittipaldi finished sixth. Hoffmann failed to qualify for 1976 Spanish Grand Prix, Spain and Fittipaldi retired with transmission failure. Fittipaldi failed to qualify for 1976 Belgian Grand Prix, Belgian, finished sixth in 1976 Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco and retired in 1976 Swedish Grand Prix, Sweden due to handling issues on the FD04. Hoffmann returned for the 1976 French Grand Prix, French Grand Prix but failed to qualify and Fittipaldi retired with oil pressure problems. The Brazilian finished sixth in 1976 British Grand Prix, Britain and 13th in 1976 German Grand Prix, Germany. Fittipaldi retired at the 1976 Austrian Grand Prix, Austrian Grand Prix due to an accident. An electrical fault put the Brazilian out of the 1976 Dutch Grand Prix, Dutch Grand Prix. Fittipaldi finished 15th in 1976 Italian Grand Prix, Italy. Fittipaldi retired at the 1976 Canadian Grand Prix, Canadian Grand Prix due to a broken exhaust. Fittipaldi finished ninth in the 1976 United States Grand Prix, United States Grand Prix East and withdrew from 1976 Japanese Grand Prix, Japan after he, Niki Lauda (Scuderia Ferrari, Ferrari), and the Brabham drivers, Larry Perkins and Carlos Pace, considered the weather conditions made the track too dangerous.1977
The FD04 was used until the Fittipaldi F5 was ready. The season started at the 1977 Argentine Grand Prix. Fittipaldi finished fourth and Hoffmann retired with engine failure. At 1977 Brazilian Grand Prix, Brazil, Fittipaldi finished fourth and Hoffmann seventh. Fittipaldi finished tenth at the 1977 South African Grand Prix, fifth at 1977 United States Grand Prix West, United States West and 14th at the 1977 Spanish Grand Prix. Fittipaldi retired with engine failure at 1977 Monaco Grand Prix, Monaco then used the F5 in 1976 Belgian Grand Prix, Belgian The FD04 was raced once more, by Fittipaldi at the 1977 Swedish Grand Prix, Swedish Grand Prix where he finished 18th. The FD04 was replaced by the Fittipaldi F5 from the 1977 French Grand Prix, French Grand Prix onwards.Complete Formula One World Championship results
(:Template:F1 driver results legend 2, key) ‡ 3 points scored using the Fittipaldi F5.References
{{F1 cars 1977 Fittipaldi Formula One cars, Fittipaldi F0