Brazilian auto racing legend Emerson Fittipaldi is drowning in millions of dollars of debt, leading to the seizure of properties including some of his old racecars, media reports said Tuesday.
Fittipaldi, a two-time winner of both the Formula One world championship and the Indianapolis 500, has racked up 27 million Brazilian reals ($7.4 million) in debts and is facing more than 60 lawsuits in the Brazilian courts, TV Record reported.
Fittipaldi's creditors include banks, contractors and the owner of a gas station who says the 69-year-old driver has an unpaid tab of more than $16,000.
In a statement released by his publicists, Fittipaldi said he "never hid his financial difficulties and has always been ready to negotiate with his creditors."
He said his debts were smaller than his total wealth and that his money troubles "are the result of the unstable financial and political climate that all of Brazil is facing."
Brazil, Latin America's largest economy, is mired in a deep recession and a political crisis triggered by a huge corruption scandal and moves to impeach President Dilma Rousseff.
Fittipaldi's financial situation reportedly took a hit when he promoted the Brazilian stage of the FIA World Endurance Championship from 2012 to 2014 -- a debt-laden gig, a close associate told newspaper Estado de Sao Paulo.
When the championship pulled out of Brazil in 2015 because of Fittipaldi's financial troubles, his creditors took him to court.
Last week the courts seized the driver's cars from the 1976-1977 F1 season and his 1989 Indy 500 victory.
Source: AFP
GMT 13:38 2018 Wednesday ,12 December
WADA views International Sambo Federation as one of best in fight against doping abuseGMT 10:48 2018 Tuesday ,23 October
Dortmund face Atletico test of maturityGMT 19:21 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 19:19 2018 Tuesday ,23 January
Brewers make offer to Japanese pitcher DarvishGMT 12:35 2018 Friday ,19 January
Man Utd set to make Sanchez highest-paid Premier League playerGMT 12:17 2018 Thursday ,04 January
Italy's Barella extends Cagliari dealGMT 13:20 2017 Sunday ,24 December
'Tongan Bear' Uhila extends Clermont contractGMT 19:09 2017 Tuesday ,19 December
Mascherano close to China move: reportsMaintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Maintained and developed by Arabs Today Group SAL.
All rights reserved to Arab Today Media Group 2021 ©
Send your comments
Your comment as a visitor