Formula One legend Emerson Fittipaldi is set for a very unusual return to racing in 2019.
The double world champion is aiming to take on either the Daytona 24 Hours or Sebring 12 Hours in a car of his own design. Stranger still, it’s the EF7 — a car designed for Gran Turismo.
Fittipaldi revealed his intentions to Motor Sport magazine during a Royal Automobile Club Talk Show. Designed as a Vision Gran Turismo car, the EF7 may now make it to the race track in reality too.
The EF7 is a collaboration between some of the biggest names in the business. Fittipaldi pulled the strings, Pininfarina drew the lines and HWA, the AMG factory race team, build it. A naturally aspirated V8 sits at the center of the car. Fittipaldi chose this simply because it’s more fun than a turbocharged engine.
In keeping with this do-it-yourself attitude, three generations of Fittipaldi will drive the EF7. Emerson hopes that his grandsons Pietro (21) and Enzo (15) will join him in the car in 2019.
Although not initially designed as a pure racing car, Fittipaldi believes it will adapt easily to the homologation requirements. He has ruled out a GTE class version though, which will prevent him from completing the Triple Crown of Le Mans, Monaco and the F1 world championship.
The EF7 will also be on display at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.
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