Breaking news

Formula 4

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr makes F4 test debut at Homestead

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr – son of the two-time Formula 1 World Champion and two-time Indianapolis 500 winner – got his first test in a formula car at Homestead-Miami Speedway on Wednesday at the age of 13.

Charles Bradley

Charles Bradley

Edited: Jun 18, 2020, 6:49 PM

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Add as a preferred source

Emerson Fittipaldi and Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.

Fittipaldi Sr was on hand to guide his son’s first steps in a Formula 4 car run by International Motorsport, and Emmo Jr was reportedly only a couple of tenths off the pace of series regulars before heavy rain soaked the track. He was getting this first taste of F4 before moving to Italy to race in the hugely competitive kart championships in Europe.

“It feels really fun to drive in a formula car because it’s a big step out of a go kart,” said Emmo Jr. “In karts you’re basically sitting on the floor and now I’m higher up, and it’s a great opportunity to be driving a Formula 4 at Homestead. It is so much faster than a kart, but for me it feels slower than a kart! But the braking and turning is so nice. I loved the car.”

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Photo by: Robert Lyon

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.

Photo by: Robert Lyon

The plan is for Fittipaldi Jr to race in Mexican F4 in its 2021-22 season, to ease him into his planned single-seater career which will be backed by Brand Institute, a Miami-based healthcare-related naming agency. The firm has pledged to back his entire racing career to F1.

“It’s so wonderful to be here in Homestead having Emmo drive a Formula 4 for the first time,” said Fittipaldi Sr. “As a father, I’m very emotional to be able to see this – in the 50th anniversary of the year of my first Formula 1 win at Watkins Glen!

“Today is very special. Mentally, he’s ready and physically he’s small, but has enough strength to drive. He’s in the right time to start testing. His next two years in karting are extremely important, and then go into formula cars. Some kids these days are starting at 11 years old, and he is 13, so I think it’s a good age for this step.”

Emerson Fittipaldi and Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.

Emerson Fittipaldi and Emerson Fittipaldi Jr.

Photo by: Robert Lyon

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Photo by: Robert Lyon

Read Also:

On the subject of his father’s support and advice, Emmo Jr added: “Of course he knows a lot more than me, and a lot more than a lot of people in motor racing! That’s nice.”

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. testing a Formula 4 car

Photo by: Robert Lyon

We want your opinion!

What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?

Take our 5 minute survey.

- The Motorsport.com Team

Read and post comments

Read also :

Share Or Save This Story

Copy link

Share on Facebook

Share on Twitter

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Linkedin

Share on Pinterest

Share on Viber

Previous article Legendary Ferrari F1 photographer Colombo knighted in Italy

Next article Austin Dillon "throwing caution to the wind" at Talladega

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

View More & Comment

More from

Charles Bradley



Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1

Formula 1

Formula 1

Mika Hakkinen on his darkest day in F1



Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

Dillon: Spotter was “wrong” to shout “wreck him!” before Hamlin clash



Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”

NASCAR Cup

NASCAR Cup

Richmond II

Hamlin: NASCAR stripping Dillon of win would be “warranted”

Latest news



NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar

NASCAR Cup

NAS NASCAR Cup

Phoenix II

2 h

NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar



Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026

IMSA

IMSA IMSA 2 h

Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026



Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP

Formula 1

F1 Formula 1

United States GP

2 h

Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP



KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”

MotoGP

MGP MotoGP 3 h

KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”

Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.

From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.

You have 2 options:

Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here

Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page

Manage Alerts

Subscribe