SAO PAULO - Ferrari's Felipe Massa could become the fourth Brazilian Formula One champion at his home grand prix on Sunday.
The following details the other three:
AYRTON SENNA, McLaren, 1988, 1990, 1991
A great champions, if not the greatest. Winning meant everything to the inspirational Sao Paulo driver, who could be
as ruthless and reckless on the racetrack as he was fearless.
His record of 65 pole positions stood until surpassed by Ferrari's Michael Schumacher in 2006, 12 years after the
Brazilian's death at Imola in May 1994. The last driver to be killed in a Formula One race, his death triggered national mourning and a complete overhaul of safety measures.
- NELSON PIQUET, Brabham and Williams, 1981, 1983, 1987 Father of Renault's Nelson Piquet and one of only eight drivers to win three titles or more. Rio-born son of a government minister, Nelson Souto Maior used his mother's maiden name to hide his racing activities from a disapproving father. A playboy racer turned successful businessman, Piquet's bad-tempered partnership with British rival Nigel Mansell at Williams in 1986 and 1987 proved memorably explosive.
- EMERSON FITTIPALDI, Lotus and McLaren, 1972, 1974 The sideburned Sao Paulo driver won his first title at the age of 25 years, eight months and 21 days to become the youngest champion until 24-year-old Fernando Alonso came along in 2005.
He started 144 grands prix, winning 14. Quit McLaren in 1975 to join older brother Wilson's Copersucar team, a mistake that sent his F1 career into decline. Won the Indy 500 in 1989 and 1993 and CART title in 1989.
