Ayrton Senna, the legendary Brazilian racing driver who won three Formula 1 world championships and two Indianapolis 500 titles, was a close friend of Emerson Fittipaldi. Fittipaldi, a former Formula 1 champion himself, first met Senna when he was just 14 years old during a test at Interlagos. Despite being shy and reserved, Senna left a lasting impression on Fittipaldi, who became his mentor and confidant.
In 1969, Fittipaldi’s F3 mechanic introduced him to Ralph Firman, who later co-founded Van Diemen, a successful Formula Ford chassis builder. When Senna expressed interest in racing in England, Fittipaldi recommended him to Firman and declared that Senna would win the championship. Although initially skeptical of Fittipaldi’s prediction, Firman soon realized that it was accurate.
Fittipaldi’s guidance and support played an essential role in Senna’s career as he navigated the challenges of racing in different countries and championships. Their friendship grew stronger over time as they pursued their dreams together in the world of motorsport.
