Former World Formula 1 champion Emerson Fittipaldi led the Middle East debut of his racing supercar ‘Fittipaldi EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina’ at the Qatar Motor Show 2017 yesterday.
 “It was launched at the Geneva Motor Show and this is the second presentation of this brand new car,” Fittipaldi told Gulf Times. He is also the chairman and CEO of Fittipaldi Motors. “It is easy to operate, easy to drive, and I call this a ladies and gentlemen car, even ladies can drive it,” he stressed.
Fittipaldi noted that they will build 39 units in two years for markets across the globe, including Qatar and other GCC countries.
Nasser Bin Khaled (NBK) Automobiles, the authorised general distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, will be the distributor of the car. Fittipaldi sees Qatar and the Middle East as a big market for such a supercar, having four Grand Prix race tracks.
“I designed and built the concept of this car to be easy and fun on the race track,” he said. “The capacity in the region is big for safe race tracks, they are modern, and people here enjoy safe and fun driving.”
He claims the all-carbon fibre supercar is the lightest car in the world, weighing less than 1,000kg with a 193kg V8 engine.  
Iconic Italian design company Pininfarina and race-bred German engineering firm HWA AG fulfils Fittipaldi’s dream to produce a car with fierce track-racing capabilities for drivers of all skill levels.
The supercar also features an integrated gearbox, suspension and braking system developed by HWA AG, and with ultra-lightweight, all-carbon fibre chassis construction with an exceptionally low centre of gravity.
Fittipaldi and NBK Automobiles are planning to bring the supercar by the end of this year in Qatar for a test drive on the race tracks.
“I have tried for years to explain to others what it truly feels like to be behind the steering wheel of a championship race car,” Fittipaldi said. “This is what our dream team created in the EF7 Vision Gran Turismo by Pininfarina,” he noted of the first car to be released under the Fittipaldi Motors.
The carbon fibre monocoque is a specially designed safety capsule for both driver and passenger, enabling drivers to feel comfortable in the car, even while at its limits, he added.
Owners of the supercar will be able to join the Fittipaldi Racing Club, which will provide exclusive VIP high-performance driving and racing experiences at some of the world’s premier racing circuits, led by Fittipaldi and other racing professionals.