Emerson Fittipaldi reveals why he twice turned down Enzo Ferrari

Two-time Formula 1 world champion Emerson Fittipaldi revealed why he twice turned down contract offers from Enzo Ferrari to join the Scuderia. Speaking at the National Automobile Museum in Turin, Fittipaldi recounted an initial 1971 dinner offer in Maranello that included both Formula 1 and sports car duties, which he turned down despite Ferrari offering double his Lotus salary to focus solely on single-seaters.

A second approach came in 1976 via Daniele Audetto after Niki Lauda's crash at the Nürburgring. Fittipaldi declined again due to his active commitment to the Copersucar project founded with his brother Wilson. During the event, Fittipaldi also praised championship leader Kimi Antonelli and named the Colin Chapman-designed Lotus JPS as the finest car of his racing career.