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As a child, all Emerson Fittapaldi wanted was to start a grand prix.
"I was thinking 'the next day I could die and be happy'," he says in the smooth and controlled way that defined his driving.
He's still very much alive as the seat holder for the Brazil A1GP team and can die a lot happier as one of the most successful drivers motorsport has seen.
The chequered flag signet ring signifying his win at the 1993 Indy 500 is only one reminder of his achievements on the track.
Two Formula 1 titles, including the record as the youngest driver to achieve the feat until Fernando Alonso surpassed it two years ago, a CART title in Indy cars and two Indy 500 crowns at The Brickyard represent an impressive return.
"Life has been very good to me," the 61-year-old says. "There's no one achievement that is more special. I enjoyed every second of my racing career."
Although Brazil qualified in 10th for today's sprint race and 11th in the feature race, Fittapaldi was still jovial. He expects good things from the team even though it hasn't won since the opening race in A1GP's inaugural season in 2005.
It was a natural move into team management but he makes no bones about the fact he would love to be the one behind the wheel.
"I still prefer the cockpit," he says. "It's the best feeling you can have in the world, to be able to control the car and drive fast. It doesn't matter what age you are.
"I have never tried an A1GP car but the new Ferrari car, I want to try," he says in reference to the fact Ferrari will supply the engines for A1GP from next season. "Six hundred horsepower. It will be close to Formula 1 and it will be interesting. The last competitive car I drove was a grand prix masters two years ago. It was 600hp. It was fun."
It has always been fun but dangerous. In his first two seasons in Formula 1, he saw four rivals killed. On average, three died a year.
"That's not great odds," he says, his smile disappearing. "In the 70s the survival was low but the last one was Aryton [Senna in 1997].
"[I worried about it] all the time, off the track. It could happen anytime. But when you were in the cockpit you didn't think about it, you couldn't think about it.
"My grandchildren race karts. One is 12 and another is five. My daughter asked me about safety. I said, 'don't worry'. Sure, anything can happen but it's so much safer. Driving a motorcycle or a car in the street is more high-risk."
While his life might be more sedate, it's still a high-octane existence with A1GP. Fittapaldi is a whole-hearted believer in the concept and has been involved from day one. He even co-owns the Brazil team with Brazilian footballer Ronaldo (the AC Milan kind) to represent a glamour combination.
"I love motorsport," he says. "I love this sport. I think A1GP is going to have a big future."
