As I'm hoping that we'll see the exact same,
steely determination of a much younger, and presumably more resilient Brazilian
emulate a fellow Countryman's return to the Speedway after his Narly Accident.
Whilst I'm talking 'bout Pietro Fittipaldi,
who's currently rehabbing in Indianapolis after breaking his left leg and
fracturing his right ankle, amongst other injuries.
Strangely, Pietro's crash made me harken back
to another Brazilian, who's crash occurred in Turn 4 of the Indianapolis Motor
Speedway during practice for the 1992 Indy 500.
As Triple Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet
crashed head first into the Turn 4 wall - And suffered multiple fractures to
both of his legs and feet, along with suffering a concussion!
Yet the 21yr old Grandson of Emerson
Fittipaldi, Pietro arrived at Mother Speedway on Thursday, May 17th to talk to
the Media, and has already set his sights on when he'll get back behind the
wheel of the #19 Dale Coyne IndyCar.
As I'd like to think that Pietro will indeed
return to IMS next year, not as a Spectator, but instead a participant, a la
what Stefan Wilson endured in order to contest this year's Indy 500.
While Piquet did indeed return the following
year to contest his lone Indy 500, albeit his equipment wasn't exactly top
shelve, being one of the "Blown" Stock Block Buick V-6 Brigade. As
Nelson, along with almost the rest of the field were overshadowed by some
Duffer' named Bloody Nige' that year.
Or Y'all can check out Piquet's long ago accident
at Mother Speedway in the Youtube video below...
