Richard Divila

He started by designing Formula Vee and various sports cars for them in Brazil in the 1960s, including the famous Fittipaldi twin-engine Volkswagen Beetle that developed 410 bhp for 407 kg.[4] Between 1988 and 1989, he designed a Formula One car for Lamberto Leoni, a former F1 driver who intended to enter his FIRST GP team in the 1989 championship.Despite the F1RST Racing fiasco Divila held various roles in different F1 teams between 1989 and 2001, including Ligier, Fondmetal, Minardi, and Prost.He was known for his eclectic and idiosyncratic approach to racing engineering and history that included his own personal interests such as literature or philosophy.During the same period, Divila developed a cult following on Twitter on the pseudonymous account @RDV69, where he was known for exploring similar topics, while talking as multiple alter egos such as the Platypus of Doom or the Clam of Calamity.
The Fittipaldi FD01 , Divila's first F1 car, seen here restored and driven by its original pilot, Wilson Fittipaldi .
The Fittipaldi FD04 was Divila's last design for Fittipaldi . It is seen here during the 1976 season with two-time world champion Emerson Fittipaldi at the wheel.
Divila was part of Nissan's 1999 BTCC winning campaign
Fittipaldi FD01Wilson FittipaldiFittipaldi FD04Fittipaldi1976 seasonEmerson FittipaldiFormula OneFormula TwoFormula ThreeFormula 3000Super FormulaIndyCartouring car racingsports car racingrallyingrally raidice racingtruck racingSão PauloWilsonFormula VeeVolkswagen BeetleFittipaldi AutomotiveJack BrabhamRon TauranacJordanLamberto LeoniPirelliGabriele TarquiniLife Racing Engines1999 BTCCLigierFondmetalMinardiNissanSuper GTFormula NipponDeltawingCouragePescaroloLe Mansliteraturephilosophypseudonymousalter egosMagny-CoursstrokeWayback Machine