50 years ago, Fittipaldi won McLaren’s first title

Emerson Fittipaldi, two-time world champion, champion of the American CART series, twice won the famous Indy 500 race, made his Formula 1 debut in the Lotus team in 1970 and achieved his first victory in the same year. Two years later he won his first title, also driving a Lotus.

But Zak Brown invited him to an intimate conversation not only because, as McLaren’s executive director admitted, he always admired the talent, skill and achievements of the legendary Brazilian, but also because it was “Emmo” who spent 50 years ago McLaren’s first victory. this team once won the world championship.

The 1974 season finale was held at Watkins Glen on October 6, and in that race Fittipaldi finished outside the top three, although he took three wins during the season. But the 4th result was enough to win the title, because his opponent then earned nothing. And “Emmo” was only three points ahead of Clay Regazzoni.

“It was a fantastic year! – Fittipaldi remembers this during a conversation with Zach Brown. “When I joined McLaren I immediately felt extra motivation and was determined to win the championship. The M23 was a great car, and although the team wasn’t that big, it had some very dedicated guys, mostly New Zealanders.

And so we approached the final race, the American Grand Prix, with Clay Regazzoni, a Ferrari driver, on an equal number of points. This was the only time in my life that I only slept three hours, because the pressure was simply enormous.

On the starting field our cars were very close (Fittipaldi started from 8th position, Regazzoni – from 9th), but we did not look at each other. We understood that we both had a chance to become world champions, because before the last race we each had 52 points.

I have never been so worried, neither before the Brazilian Grand Prix nor at the start of the Indy 500. I decided not to look in the rearview mirrors at all, but to just concentrate completely on what was happening in front of my car. and immediately try to gain some advantage. I tried to demoralize him, that’s exactly what happened.

The McLaren wasn’t the fastest car in that race, but neither was the Ferrari, and I knew that if I could brake later than him, I could stay ahead… And in the closing laps I just hoped to cross the finish line. would make it, and the last lap of the race seemed to be one of the longest of my career.