Formula 1: a history of the category opens a new crack and states that there are few drivers from Latin America

In the preview of Belgian Grand Prixthe Formula 1 adds a new controversy based on claims from a history of the category, which has been encouraged to aim for the world’s leading auto competition for a problem more latent than ever. Sergio ‘Checo’ Perez he is the only Latin American exponent in F1, and the Brazilian Emerson Fittipaldi regrets it.

The historic former driver, once a two-time world champion, spoke to Efe, and referred to the “excess” of European drivers in the race. The San Pablo native commented: “Today the only Latin American driver is ‘Checo’ Pérez. There were times with six, seven pilots from Latin America. Formula 1 is unbalanced, it is with many Europeans“.

Fittipaldi, champion with Lotus in 1972 and with McLaren-Ford in 1974, does not lose sight of motorsport and, at 75, is more relevant than ever. He knew he was the first Brazilian to reign in the top category of motorsports and today he considers it “in the last 15-20 years there has been a decline in incentives” aimed at the pool of pilots born in our continent.

This is why the Formula 1 legend explains that “Latin America must encourage” and the pilot program promoted by the Mexican tycoon Carlos Slim with Telmex is an example of this. “If it weren’t for Carlos Slim, we wouldn’t have drivers from Latin America in F1 today. Thanks to that program, today there are drivers with a chance to finish,” he launched.

The driver who also distinguished himself in Formula Indy (champion in 1989) and in the Indianapolis 500 (two-time champion in 1989 and 1993) lives in Europe, where his son, Emmo, competes in Formula Four. Like him, there are many other drivers who dream of being present in F1, and Fittipaldi closes: “Today Brazil has talented, very good riders who want to finish”.

He talked about Ferrari

And just as he left the note for his words on the present of Latin Americans in motorsport, Emerson Fittipaldi also spoke about Ferrari and the dream of all the fans of the team: to return to the field in the World Championship. Again, the one driving is Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) follows him at 40 points. There is still hope for the Brazilian.

“Ferrari did not lose performance, but made some strategic mistakes. Although the team has enormous potential, talent and structure to recover now. Not because Verstappen is ahead, Ferrari has no chance. In my opinion Ferrari can recover everything. because it’s the fastest car, “he said.

His early season bet, in fact, was aimed precisely at Leclerc, and also at Carlos Sainz Jr. On the other hand, he also praised the Spanish rider and two-time world champion Fernando Alonso, who will change Alpine for Aston Martin next time season and who still is He sees himself capable of adding the third F1 championship of his career. “He is the most experienced driver, he is motivated and very talented. He has shown it this year”he expressed.

Fittipaldi, on the other hand, underlined that Formula 1 is experiencing a fantastic historical phase, generating “great interest in the world”. “I love Formula 1 like never in so many years,” he said. And to close, he talked about the Mercedes case, explaining that despite the fact that the team had a “bad” start to the season, the British Lewis Hamilton and George Russell can still give the ‘blow’.

And so the Brazilian myth has returned to give something to talk about with its statements. In addition to keeping an eye on Formula 1, Fittipaldi also looks at politics. In fact, he announced it on Monday will be one of the candidates for the Italian Senate with the Brothers of Italy party, led by the far right Giorgia Meloni, favored in the political elections on 25 September.