Motorsport’s famous Fittipaldi family is on edge after ex-Formula One driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr suffered cardiac arrest on Christmas Day — the day he turned 80.
He has remained in hospital ever since.
The health situation, announced by his wife Rita and their ex-F1 driver son Christian on Instagram, occurred at dinner on December 25.
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Fittipaldi Jr “choked on a piece of meat” and went into cardiac arrest, according to his family.
“He was resuscitated and is now sedated and intubated, we are waiting for him to wake up,” they wrote.
“He has a difficult post-surgical history of returning post-sedative, one day at a time, let’s wait.”
The family has yet to issue a formal update but one Brazilian report claimed Fittipaldi Jr was successfully woken on January 7 after two failed attempts.
It was said doctors were still waiting to learn his neurological state.
Rita, who shared the news with a photo taken as they left the house for the gathering, has remained by her husband’s side in hospital with Christian.
Wilson Fittipaldi Jr and Emerson Fittipaldi at the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix. Credit: Getty Images
“I am very grateful for all the messages, I know they are the ones that give us strength at this very difficult time,” the family wrote.
“Continued prayers and positive vibes of health and recovery for Wilsinho. God will make the best! I believe!”
Christian had celebrated his father’s birthday with a photo of the family at the family dinner prior to the incident.
“Merry Christmas everyone and happy 80th from this guy on my side!!! Happy hohoho everyone and happy 80th b-day to the kid next to me!!!” he wrote.
Fittipaldi Jr is the older brother of two-time F1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi, who also went on to win the Indianapolis 500 twice and took home one CART championship.
Fittipaldi Jr joined his sibling in F1 when he raced for the Bernie Ecclestone-led Brabham team in 1972-73.
He returned to the grid in 1975 after setting up his own team Fittipaldi Automotive.
Stepping back from driving in 1976, he convinced his brother to leave McLaren and join the family operation.
Christian Fittipaldi with dad Wilson Fittipaldi Jr. Credit: Instagram
Christian followed in the footsteps of his father and uncle by becoming an F1 driver, spending three seasons in the category before moving to CART and later focusing on sportscar racing.
Emerson’s grandson Pietro has also made two F1 starts during a multi-year stint with Haas while another grandson Enzo is currently a Formula 2 driver.
Emerson himself has a 16-year-old son Emerson Jr who is attempting to climb the ladder to F1.