Enzo Fittipaldi celebrates his first victory in a Formula 2 main race – and two weeks after the death of his uncle, which led to emotions on the podium
Fittipaldi’s name is finally back at the top of the podium – and with pure emotion: Enzo Fittipaldi celebrated his first victory in a Formula 2 main race in Jeddah. The 22-year-old took victory just two weeks after the death of his uncle Wilson Fittpaldi Jr.
The scenes of victory at Parc Ferme and on the podium were correspondingly tearful. “It was a difficult moment for the whole family. I am happy to be standing here and would like to dedicate this victory to him,” said the Van Amersfoort Racing driver at Parc Ferme through tears that no one could blame him for. He took the Brazilian national flag with him on the podium.
Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. died on February 24 at the age of 80. He had previously suffered a heart attack in December 2023 – exactly on his 80th birthday. He was a racing driver himself and took part in a total of 39 Formula 1 races between 1971 and 1975, 35 of which counted towards the World Championship.
His best result in a world championship race was a fifth place in the 1973 German Grand Prix, and he even finished third in the 1972 Brazilian Grand Prix, which did not count towards the world championship.
He became better known as the team owner of the Fittipaldi Automotive team (better known for its long-standing Copersucar branding), for which Formula 1 legend Emerson Fittipaldi personally drove after winning both of his world championship titles.
Strong three-wide maneuver brings victory
Enzo Fittipaldi started the main race on Saturday from fourth place and was effectively second behind Kush Maini (Invicta; 2nd) after the early pit stop (the top 10 started together on the soft tires). At the start of the 13th of 28 laps, he took the virtual lead with a clean maneuver in turn 1.
It now looked as if Emerson Fittipaldi’s grandson would just have to drive the race home. But when Franco Colapinto (MP Motorsport) spun on lap 15 after contact with a wall in turn 1, the safety car came out onto the track.
Suddenly, Amaury Cordeel (Hitech; 5th) and Taylor Barnard (PHM; 13th) were able to complete their stop under yellow and emerge ahead of Fittipaldi. However, they had to hold out for ten laps on the soft tires
LAP 22 / 28
ENZOOOOO!!!!!
A BRILLIANT MOVE sees Enzo Fittipladi take the race lead! SaudiArabianGP F2 pic.twitter.com/CKsoALytk9
– Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 9, 2024
At the restart, Juan Manuel Correa (DAMS; 14th) was in the lead with his pit stop still to come. However, he played an important role in the ensuing battle. Fittipaldi made short work of Barnard for P3 after the restart. Cordeel then attacked the leader Correa at the front – and Fittipaldi overtook them both with a sensational maneuver on the outside of turn 1.
“I didn’t want to stay behind the drivers on the soft tires for too long, because otherwise I would have overheated my own tires,” said Enzo Fittipaldi, explaining the impressive maneuver. “I had to brake late and come out of turn 2 cleanly. I managed that and was able to pull out a good lead. Then I spared my tires until the end. “
Serious accident in 2021
It was a doubly emotional moment for Fittipaldi, as the Jeddah Corniche Circuit almost meant the end of his career. In 2021, he crashed into the rear of the stationary Theo Pourchaire at the start. “That was only my second start in Formula 2 and then an accident like that,” he recalls. He suffered injuries to his left eye and right heel.
“You might think that was a negative thing, but it made me a stronger driver. It was a difficult time in December and January 2022 to race again. Winning here in Jeddah is also very special for that reason,” he explains.
The 2024 season will be his third full year in Formula 2, which puts him under pressure, as three years is considered the maximum time a young driver should spend in a lower formula class
“You guys are the best.”
The baby shark claimed his maiden Feature Race win of his F2 career SaudiArabianGP F2 pic.twitter.com/G1zArolxAY
– Formula 2 (@Formula2) March 9, 2024
So will we soon see the next Fittipaldi in Formula 1? “My dream is to drive Formula 1. That’s everyone’s dream in Formula 2,” he replies. “Brazil has a great history of Formula 1 champions. I hope to represent Brazil in Formula 1 one day.”
After a mixed start to the season in Bahrain, Enzo Fittipaldi’s victory immediately improved his position to second overall behind leader Zane Maloney (Rodin), who finished seventh in the main race.
Dennis Hauger (MP Motorsport; 3rd), Jak Crawford (DAMS; 4th) and Cordeel, who crossed the finish line within 0.158 seconds of each other, made for a spectacular finish. It should not go unmentioned that Oliver Bearman (Prema), who should have started from pole position, did not take part in the race due to his Formula 1 commitment for Ferrari.
