1997 PPG CART World Series - Started his second season for Newman/Haas Racing driving the No. 11 Swift-Ford/Cosworth. This was his third season in the series, driving his third different type of Indy Car chassis. Drove a Reynard in his first season, a Lola in his second season and debuted the all-American made Swift chassis in 1997. He missed seven events due to a broken leg sustained at Australia. In his first race back after his injury, he obtained a fourth place finish at Portland. This finish was his best since taking third at Vancouver last season. He also obtained fourth place at Road America, tying with Portland for his season high.
1996 PPG Indy Car World Series (First season at N/H) - Made rookie season with Newman/Haas Racing his best to date in CART racing as he established himself as one of the series' most consistent drivers with 13 top-10 finishes in 16 races. Finished fifth in the PPG Cup. Matched his career-best finish of second at Indy (1995) in Detroit where he started sixth and jumped into the lead on the first lap in the rain. Led a race high 64 of the 72 Detroit laps, but lost the lead to his team-mate, Andretti, on a restart with six laps to go. Also made podium appearances at Portland (3rd) and Vancouver (3rd). Earned his career-best starting position of third place at the Milwaukee Oval. Finished in the points in all but two races (Long Beach/contact, Road America/blown engine). Led 80 laps throughout the season. Had to start in last place (27th) in home race in Brazil after an accident prior to qualifying on Saturday but charged into fifth place by the chequered flag on Sunday despite being in pain. Was nominated to the Drivers Safety Committee by his fellow drivers. INTERNATIONAL TOURING CAR CHAMPIONSHIP - Drove one race for the Mercedes factory team at the season final in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, as a guest driver. Finished 10th. Paint scheme on the car predominantly displayed his uncle Emerson's helmet design honouring his 25 years in international racing.
1995 PPG Indy Car World Series - Drove Rookie season in Indy cars for Walker Racing. Scored a second-place finish in his first 500-mile race, his third time on an oval at the Indy 500. Was ranked seventh overall in oval track performance despite never racing on an oval prior to '95. Named Indy 500 "Rookie of the Year" in addition to leading CART "Rookie of the Year" standings most of the season until the last race when fellow Brazilian Gil de Ferran scored 21 of 22 possible points after winning the event and finished two points ahead of Fittipaldi in the year-end standings. Was the first rookie to lead a lap for the year (Nazareth, 10 laps) in only his second oval track race. Had two top-five starts at Portland and Loudon. Finished 15th in the PPG Cup.
1994 Formula One World Championship - Drove in all 16 events for the Arrows Footwork Team powered by a Ford engine. Of the 16 races Fittipaldi had two top-five and seven top-10 finishes. His best finish was fourth place at the Pacific and German Grand Prix. Scored his first two top-10 starting positions with sixth and ninth place positions. Finished 13th in the standings.
1993 Formula One World Championship - Drove a Minardi-Ford and finished 13th in the Championship with five points in 14 starts of 16 events. Scored his highest F1 finish to date with a fourth place at the season opener in South Africa. Had two top-5 and nine top-10 finishes. Scored a top-10 finish in every race he completed.
1992 Formula One World Championship - First year of Formula One driving a Minardi-Lamborghini in 10 races. Was injured in a crash (C4 & C5 vertebra) during a practice session at Magny Cours (France) and did not compete that weekend or at the following three events. Collected his first championship point at the Japan event and finished 17th in the Formula One standings.
1991 Champion - Formula 3000 - Won the European Championship driving for Pacific Racing. In 10 events, he won two races, four pole positions and scored six top-five starts with his lowest finishing position being fourth place against drivers such as Damon Hill, Alessandro Zanardi and Heinz-Harold Frentzen.
1990 South American Champion - FORMULA 3 - Won two races on the way to the South American Championship competing against the likes of Rubens Barrichello. Finished fourth in the British Championship and scored one win competing against drivers such as Mika Hakkinen.
1989 Brazilian Champion - FORMULA 3 - Scored two wins en route to the Brazilian Championship and finished third in the South American Championship after winning two events.
1988 Formula Ford 2000 - Was the runner-up in the Brazilian Championship after claiming four wins. Had special clearance to race because he was not 18 years old yet.
