04 January 2024 , 21:06
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Former Formula 1 driver Wilson Fittipaldi is in hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on Christmas Day, his wife has said.
The 80-year-old was also celebrating his birthday, which falls on the same day, when he suffered the cardiac arrest. His wife Rita informed fans of the news in a social media post on Thursday.
"At Christmas lunch, Wilsinho choked on a piece of meat and had a cardiac arrest," she wrote. "He was resuscitated and is sedated and intubated, we are waiting for him to wake up, he has a difficult post surgical history of post sedative return, one day at a time, we will wait.
"Yesterday I received countless phone calls and kind messages of support for the whole family. I appreciate all the messages, I know they are the ones that give us strength in this very difficult time. Continue the positive vibes of health and restoration for Wilsinho. God will make the best!"
Alongside the message was a photo of Fittipaldi smiling as he posed for a photo with his wife on the day, prior to his medical incident. "This picture was taken when we left home to celebrate Christmas and his birthday!" she added.
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Fittipaldi raced 35 times between 1972 and 1975, his best result being a fifth-placed finish at the 1973 German Grand Prix. His younger brother Emerson enjoyed more success, though, winning titles in 1972 and 1974.
The Fittipaldi family name is famous in F1 as a result. Wilson's son Christian and nephew-in-law Max Papis also raced in F1, while grandnephew Pietro is a current reserve driver for Haas and Enzo is racing in Formula 2 with Rodin Carlin.
Wilson ended his F1 driving career after the 1975 season to focus on running the team that he had set up. Brother Emerson came to race for Copersucar-Fittipaldi from 1976 after leaving McLaren.
He has driven sparingly since, most notably winning several rounds in the Brazilian Stock Car championship. He also shared a car with his son Christian in 1994 when they won the Mil Milhas race, driving for Porsche.
In 2008, at the age of 64, he and brother Emerson entered the Brazilian GT3 Championship to again drive for Porsche. Their best result came at the Brasilia round in June of that year, when they finished fourth at the Jacarepagua circuit in Rio de Janeiro.