The 1973 Brazilian Grand Prix was the first Formula One world championship race held in Brazil, won by local driver Emerson Fittipaldi.
Key Facts
- Race number in season
- Race 2 of 15
- Circuit
- Interlagos
- Winner
- Emerson Fittipaldi (Lotus)
- Second place
- Jackie Stewart (Tyrrell)
- Third place
- Denny Hulme (McLaren)
- First pole position
- Ronnie Peterson (Lotus)
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Brazil had been bidding to host a Formula One world championship round, and Interlagos in São Paulo was selected as the venue. The 1973 season schedule included the circuit for the first time as an official championship race, reflecting growing interest in motorsport across South America.
On 11 February 1973, the Brazilian Grand Prix was held at Interlagos as the second race of the 1973 Formula One season. Ronnie Peterson took the first pole position of his career, while Emerson Fittipaldi, starting from the front row, drove his Lotus to victory in front of his home crowd, ahead of Jackie Stewart and Denny Hulme.
The race established Brazil as a permanent fixture on the Formula One calendar and elevated Emerson Fittipaldi as a national sporting hero. It also marked the beginning of a strong Brazilian presence in Formula One, a tradition that would continue with future champions Fittipaldi, Nelson Piquet, and Ayrton Senna.