Emerson Fittipaldi says the latest drama between George Russell and Max Verstappen is “what we’d like in motorsport.”
The pair traded verbal punches within the press within the build-up to the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, with Russell accusing Versappen of threatening to “put you in your f****** head within the wall” following an change within the stewards’ room on the Qatar Grand Prix, and Verstappen responding by branding Russell a “backstabber.”
Whereas the controversy diverted consideration away from the observe, two-time Method 1 world champion and double Indy 500 winner Fittipaldi reacted positively to it, and expressed his need to see extra drivers present their character in an analogous manner.
“I prefer it rather a lot, as a result of it reveals the character of every athlete,” he mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what sport you do, the general public need to see who’s behind.
“It’s nice to see this. I prefer it, and I feel you need to have much less PR individuals across the drivers and extra proper foot. When the flags drop, the bull**** stops. That’s it. That’s what we’d like in motorsport.”
Fittipaldi was additionally happy by the addition of newly topped Method 2 champion and fellow Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto to the 2025 driving line-up for Kick Sauber, which can turn into Audi’s manufacturing facility F1 group in 2026. The 20-year-old Bortoleto would be the first F1 driver from the nation since Felipe Massa final competed in 2017.
“The previous couple of years solely had one Latin America driver, Checo Perez; we have been very disenchanted in Latin America,” Fittipaldi mentioned. “However I’m telling all of the European drivers, be watching, as a result of there’s younger Brazilians coming alongside, taking many good locations. We’d like our house again once more.”
Whereas there have been rumors that Audi’s F1 challenge could also be delayed, Fittipaldi mentioned that its earlier motorsport successes — together with triumphs within the 1936 and 1939 European Grand Prix championships when it was often known as Auto Union — present it shouldn’t be underestimated.
“They know the best way to go racing,” he mentioned. “With the historical past of the Germans — Auto Union earlier than the battle, now Audi — Audi going again to Method 1 goes to be unimaginable. They’re going to be robust.”
