Fittipaldi Automotive

Based in: Sao Paolo, Brazil & Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom Founded: 1973 (active 1975-1982) Principal: Wilson & Emerson Fittipaldi

The first Fittipaldi cars were named for the team's sponsor, Copersucar - a government backed co-operative of Brazilian sugar producers. Over the years the namew Copersucar was phased out.

In many ways this reflected the changing nature of the team, which was attempting to become the first Brazilian Formula 1 operation. That dream soon faded and as befitting a team competing in a Euro-centric sport like F1 the organisation was eventually forced to move to Britain. Originally founded and run by Wilson Fittipaldi the team only really gained momentum when brother Emerson joined as the lead driver.

By 1980, Copersucar had gone and Fittipaldi merged with Wolf, using their third series models (WR7-9) as the Fittipaldi F7s. As the turbo era approached, lack of sponsorship meant the end of this ambitious and colourful project.

Cars