The former Brazilian Formula 1 driver Wilson Fittipaldithe older brother of the legendary Emerson Fittipaldi, died at the age of 80 in Sao Paulo, the Brazilian Automobile Confederation announced this Friday.
According to the Brazilian press, he has been admitted to the Prevent Senior Hospital, in the South Zone of the capital, since December of last year. Wilson was hospitalized after choking on a piece of meat and going into cardiac arrest during a Christmas lunch that also coincided with his 80th birthday.
“At 80 years old, Wilsinho died peacefully and surrounded by all the love he deserved throughout his life,” the organization wrote on its Instagram account.
Wilson Fittipaldi raced in F1 in the 1970s, but saw his career overshadowed by his brother, the world champion in 1972 and 1974.
Wilson joined the F1 circuit with the Brabham Ford team led by Bernie Ecclestone in 1972, the year of his brother’s first title.
“He combined talent, vision for the future and courage to take the Brazilian flag to an unexpected level,” the Brazilian Automobile Confederation paid tribute to him.
The São Paulo native had his best season in 1973, occupying 16th place in the F1 classification. He participated in a total of 38 GGPP, without achieving victories, and then participated in the creation in 1975 of the Brazilian Copersucar-Fittipaldi team, which disappeared in the 1980s.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
