Enzo Fittipaldi: My Greatest Influences

8 May 2023

The grandson of two-time Formula 1 World Champion Emerson Fittipaldi, Rodin Carlin's Enzo Fittipaldi has been surrounded by motorsport all his life.

We caught up with the Brazilian racer to find out who had inspired, supported and empowered him throughout his journey and why self-belief will ultimately carry you through.

HIS FAMILY

“Growing up with them was like every other family, just that our sport was racing. Many other families come from soccer, tennis, acting or scientists etc, but our thing was racing, so there’s a lot of speed in the family. I would go watch my brother Pietro race since I was a little baby, so it was just natural for me to jump in the go-kart and go as fast as I could.

“I’ve always had the love for speed since a very young age and the love for racing. I’m such a competitive person, I just love competition and racing is the best place for it. Pietro and I get competitive all the time. I’m a competitive person with anything, it can be who reads a book faster or what – it doesn’t matter, they can be the stupidest things and I’m still as competitive. It’s just something I guess that I was born with. I normally win, but I’m sure if you ask him, he’s going to say he does!

“At the beginning, moving away from home was tough, but you get used to it. Like everything else in life, you grow up, you learn, and it becomes normal after a few months. The first few weeks were hard, but you adjust and adapt.

“The best piece of advice they’ve given me is at the end of the day whatever you’re doing, and you put so much work and effort into it, it’s very important that you’re enjoying it. I know sometimes in racing there are difficult days, and you don’t enjoy those days, but when I’m out there I’m doing what I love. I enjoy putting a good lap together, racing, fighting with the other drivers on track and overtaking, so I enjoy what I do.

“That’s the most important thing and to ask yourself ‘am I really enjoying what I’m doing?’ Sometimes you forget to have a little bit of fun. Racing is a very serious sport, very professional and if you’re going to do it, you have to go 110% at it, but always have fun.

AYRTON SENNA

“I’ve always been a massive fan of Senna and I will watch on YouTube his old videos and stuff. Obviously, I was born in 2001 and Senna passed away in 1994, so I never watched any of his races in real life, but my family is big into racing. From my grandfather I heard his stories that he had with Senna, and I’ve always really enjoyed watching YouTube videos about him, hearing about his stories – his preparations, his hard work, his dedication and that for sure inspired and influenced me a little bit.

“I think Senna is not only a hero in the motorsport world, but to all sports. Everyone knows who Senna is, everyone knows he was if not the best of all time, one of the best of all time and he comes from Brazil, so that’s where I’m from.”

HIMSELF

“Lastly, I’d say myself. I have such a big hunger and desire to go fast, I just love it! At the end of the day, you have your own characteristics and I just focus on continuing to build my strengths and work on my weaknesses.

“I’m pushing 110%. I’m working very hard, and my ultimate goal is to make it to Formula 1, so I’m going to do whatever it takes to get there. Sometimes I have very difficult weekends, but even in those weekends I’m having fun because when I make mistakes, I know that those are the times where I will be learning the most and improving as a driver.

“For me, that’s never been hard to deal with, I just look at it as I want to make mistakes because with mistakes is how you develop as a driver and continue improving. I’m not afraid of making mistakes.”