Fittipaldi Automotive, sometimes called Copersucar after its first major sponsor, was a Formula One racing team and constructor that competed from 1975 to 1982. It was the only Formula One team to have been based in Brazil. The team was formed during 1974 by racing driver Wilson Fittipaldi and his younger brother, double world champion Emerson, with money from the Brazilian sugar and alcohol cooperative Copersucar. The team raced under a Brazilian licence. Emerson Fittipaldi became a driver for the team in 1976 after leaving McLaren, but was unable to replicate his earlier success with the family-owned team. Future world champion Keke Rosberg took his first podium finish in Formula One with the team.
Fitti-Vee: The Fittipaldis built their first racing cars in Brazil for Formula Vee in 1967
Copersucar-Fittipaldi FD04: Emerson qualified 5th on his debut for the family team in 1976. This was the last Fittipaldi to be built in Brazil.
Fittipaldi F5A: The aerodynamics modified version of the F5 was designed by Giacomo Caliri.
Fittipaldi F8: The car was designed by Harvey Postlethwaite and Adrian Newey.
The 1975 Formula One season was the 29th season of FIA Formula One motor racing. It featured the 1975 World Championship of F1 Drivers and the 1975 International Cup for F1 Manufacturers which were contested concurrently from 12 January to 5 October over fourteen races. The season also included three non-championship Formula One races and a nine race South African Formula One Championship.
Niki Lauda was the 1975 champion
Emerson Fittipaldi (McLaren M23 Ford) placed second overall in the 1975 World Championship of F1 Drivers
Jacques Laffite driving for Williams in Watkins Glen
John Watson driving for Surtees in the British Grand Prix