Yet, that is precisely what Wilson Jr. and Emerson did. The two brothers from Rio de Janeiro grew up immersed in the passion and excitement of Brazil’s most extraordinary F1 sports commentator, who, as it happened, was their father — Wilson Fittipaldi, known in his home country as “The Baron.”
The first single-seater, the FD01, was designed by Ricardo Divila, inspired by the Tyrrell 006, and powered by a Cosworth DFV engine with a Hewland gearbox. Its key innovation lay in aerodynamics, featuring a more reclined driving position and rear-mounted radiators to optimise airflow, with groundbreaking solutions such as inboard suspension. Embraer, besides manufacturing the chassis, provided the wind tunnel that was crucial for refining the car’s bodywork. The enthusiasm surrounding the Fittipaldi brothers was so great that many companies supported the project purely for visibility, and on 16 October 1974, the FD01 was presented to President Ernesto Geisel in the Senate as a symbol of national pride.
However, its aerodynamic concepts proved ineffective, as the Cosworth engine required strong airflow for cooling. The FD01’s only race ended in a crash while running in 18th place, leading to a fire that necessitated a complete rebuild. Today, fully restored, the FD01 represents the original form of the Copersucar — purer, more elegant, and truer to the vision and audacity of the Brazilian team.