Emerson Fittipaldi retired from the Formula One in 1980. That year he raced for his own team Fittipaldi Automotive. In his last season he managed to score a last podium with the Fittipaldi F7. He took a four year period to take his team before he would made his debut in 1984 in the CART series. In 1989 he would crown himself as the new champion from the series. That year he would also win the Indy 500 which he repeated in 1993. It’s the period 1989 – 1990 which makes it interesting involving Bernie Ecclestone, some money and a dinner in late 1989.
In 1989 Emerson won the CART championship and the Indy 500 but he was also in the scope for a single race return to the Formula One. In 1989 Minardi had one of their best seasons in the Formula One. With Pierluigi Martini scoring on several occasions points as well did Luis Pérez-Sala with a sixth place during the British Grand Prix. After the 1989 Spanish Grand Prix Pierluigi Martini got injured which meant that the team was looking for a replacement for the Japanese and perhaps also the Australian Grand Prix.
That’s the point where Bernie Ecclestone comes in the picture. Having an eye for publicity and the wish to have world champions on the grid he got in contact with Giancarlo Minardi. He tried to convince and move Giancarlo to get in contact with Emerson Fittipaldi for their replacement. At that time it was 9 years ago that Emerson said the Formula One goodbye. From an publicity point of view it would be very interesting. Remember, Emerson won the title in the CART won the Indy 500 so was still pretty competitive. The only problem could have been the evolution of Formula One between 1980 and 1989.
Both Giancarlo and Emerson were on speaking terms to replace the injured Pierluigi at Minardi. However, the deal did not happen it is unsure why not. Probably it had to do with Emerson’s career in the CART series. I asked Giancarlo about it but he couldn’t remember it himself. Eventually Paolo Barilla would replace Martini for the Japanese Grand Prix. Martini’s injuries healed quickly enough to be on the grid in Adelaide. Where he managed to score a point with the sixth place.
This was not the last time Emerson Fittipaldi was linked with Minardi. In late December 1989 The Autosport magazine came with a news item stating that Emerson Fittipaldi would race at least one race in 1990 for the Minardi team. When this news item was written they had spotted Emerson together with Bernie, Minardi and Balestere entering a restaurant. However, Emerson stated that it was an dinner organised by Philip Morris Europe. He did say that if he was to return to the Formula One he would return in a championship winning team. As he own the CART championship in 1989.
