Emerson Fittipaldi: “I was a pilot and here I am, a driver…”

Hello Emerson. Do you still drive the EQS 580 4matic or is it for the purposes of our ride?

It's my personal vehicle! I love this Mercedes, its comfort, its impressive technology, and its performance too. It is equipped with fully electric all-wheel drive consisting of two motors, one on each axle, for a combined power of 385 kW (523 ch. Editor's note) which allows you to reach 100 km/h in 4''3. Come up, you'll see!

When were your first memories related to automobiles?

My father was an automotive journalist, and when I was around 5 or 6 years old, he took me to Interlagos. It was the first time I saw racing cars, and I fell in love at first sight. I remember immediately telling him that I wanted to be a racing driver. My father drove as an amateur, and my mother also in a Mercedes. In 1952, at the wheel of a 180 diesel, she competed in the 24 Hours of Interlagos with another lady. I was a little boy, but I remember it well, because she finished in front of my father. It almost caused a family tragedy. (Laughs) I always had this dream in mind, to pilot myself.

You will have to wait a few more years to realize it!

My brother Wilson and I started building things because we just didn't have money to race. We developed a small company called “Formula 1 Steel Wheels” which produced rims. I was 16 and my brother was 19. From production, we moved to sales to have the means to build karts. This “Mini Kart” company still exists! I don't know a Brazilian driver who didn't put his butt in a Mini Kart chassis in his early days. (Laughs)