Emerson Fittipaldi Jr. will follow in the footsteps of his illustrious family by stepping into car racing during the 2021 season, with the Brazilian set to race in the Danish Formula 4 championship.
The fourteen-year-old, part of the Sauber Academy that also looks after the careers of current FIA Formula 2 racer Théo Pourchaire and another Formula 4 racer in Dexter Patterson, will combine his Danish F4 competition with racing in OK karting in 2021.
Fittipaldi Jr. admits he does not know much about the series or indeed Denmark, but he does believe it will be a good place to learn how to race single seater machinery for the first time.
“I look forward to getting my formula car debut and getting to know the Danish racetracks,” said Fittipaldi Jr. “Even though I do not [know] much about Denmark, the series and tracks, I believe that this is a great opportunity to learn a lot from the Scandinavian drivers, and I look very much forward to that.”
Beat Zehnder, the Sporting Director at Sauber Motorsport AG, says Fittipaldi Jr. is ready for the next step of his career and introducing him to single seaters in 2021 is the logical move for the young Brazilian.
“Emerson Jr. is ready for the next step in his career and Sauber Academy will support him as he makes his debut in single seaters,” said Zehnder. “To be able to make this leap at such a young age will be challenging, but we are confident this will give him a significant advantage in the long run.
“We can’t wait to see him progress in this new adventure.”
The Danish season will feature twenty-one races in Denmark and Sweden, beginning with a trip to Padborg on April 24-25 and ending in October at the Jyllandsringen.
