Former F1 driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr, 80, rushed to hospital with cardiac arrest after ‘choking on piece of meat’

FORMER Formula 1 driver Wilson Fittipaldi Jr has suffered a cardiac arrest after choking on a piece of meat.

Fittipaldi Jr, whose brother Emerson won two F1 world titles, was celebrating his 80th birthday on Christmas Day when the horrific incident took place.

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Wilson Fittipaldi Jr suffered a cardiac arrest after choking on a piece of meat[/caption]

Fittipaldi competed in Formula 1 in the early and mid-1970sGetty

He was resuscitated and is currently sedated in hospital.

A post from his wife on Instagram read: “During dinner, he choked on a piece of meat and suffered a lack of oxygen followed by cardiac arrest.

“He was resuscitated and is now sedated and intubated, we are waiting for him to wake up.

“He has a difficult post-surgical history of returning post-sedative, one day at a time, let’s wait.”

According to The Independent, Fittipaldi’s son Christian, who is also an ex-F1 driver, attended the hospital with his dad.

In the social media post, his wife went on to add: “Yesterday I received countless phone calls and kind messages of support for the whole family.

“I appreciate all the messages, I know they are the ones that give us strength in this very difficult time.

“Continue the positive vibes of health and restoration for Wilsinho. God will make the best!”

Fittipaldi started 35 F1 races between 1972 and 1975, claiming three points during his short career in the sport.

Alongside his world champion brother Emerson, he set up the first and only Brazilian F1 team – Fittipaldi-Copersucar – in 1974.

The team raced in F1 from 1975 to 1982.