Fittipaldi on his ‘courage’ to become a World Champion

Emerson Fittipaldi, the trailblazing Brazilian who secured two Formula 1 World Championships in 1972 with Lotus and 1974 with McLaren, recently delved into his illustrious career and off-track endeavors in a special 'F1 Beyond The Grid Legends' episode. Fittipaldi recounted his refusal to participate in the 1975 Spanish Grand Prix due to safety concerns and detailed the extensive medical precautions he took during race weekends. He also shed light on how he, alongside other prominent figures in the sport, championed crucial safety improvements. The discussion further explored his move from Brazil to the UK to pursue racing, the formation of his own Brazilian F1 team, and a memorable phone call from Enzo Ferrari after Niki Lauda's harrowing accident in 1976. Listeners can also anticipate his insights on which current F1 driver mirrors his own style, his admiration for Max Verstappen, and his perspective on the intense McLaren intra-team title battle between Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.