The premature ending wasn't what they hoped for, after months of testing and development. But that day, in Buenos Aires, the dream had come true. At least the first part. A driver who wanted to build his car, with parts manufactured in his country, a designer who loved what he did, three mechanics, a few engines, a few gearboxes and a dozen sets of tires, and on January 12, 1975, 50 years ago, the world saw a Formula 1 made in Brazil. And Wilson Fittipaldi entered the small gallery of drivers who had decided to build their own cars. Like Jack Brabham, Bruce McLaren, Dan Gurney and Graham Hill.

The final result of qualifying, where they dropped last and ended up with a fire in their FD01 it could be a fatal fact and could pass the wrong picture to those watching the race on TV, or on the track, but to them it was an episode. Because for them, the essence was fulfilled: they were there.

And the project had things in their favor. They had a good sponsor, Copersucar, who gave them the money they needed - a million dollars per season - to develop the car to the point of catching those who were ahead, like McLaren, Ferrari or Tyrrell, there were people who knew things, and they had, most of all, the dream that ruled their lives: to be successful in a Brazilian car, to prove that they could compete with others and to be able to beat them.

The dreams were pretty big: to be a Brazilian Ferrari. The more parts manufactured in the country the better. And in those times, what best show of existing technology, that of Formula 1? The tech giant accompanying the geographical giant.

By the way, Copersucar's advertising helped immensely to create hope. Here's an excerpt:

The machine's turn will come. For the Brazilians, this car represents a challenge. A challenge and a test of ability."

The result didn't come as expected, in Buenos Aires But the hope that it would be the beginning of a dream was what kept me going. Half a century later, we know how it ended, but if aspirations fell short, in reality, they didn't embarrass anyone. Today, Copersucar-Fittipaldi's memory is being rehabilitated and its participants are being praised for daring to dream... and bring it to fruition.

And the dream began exactly half a century ago