4 replies to this topic

[Autumnpuma]

from itv-f1.com

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Former world champion Mario Andretti says his grandson Marco could be ready to make the switch from IndyCars to Formula 1 as soon as 2008.

Marco, who came close to winning the Indianapolis 500 at his first attempt in May, would become the third generation of Andrettis to race in F1 after his father Michael (for McLaren in 1993) and Mario, whose career spanned 14 years and included the 1978 world title.

“He [Marco] can’t do it next year but maybe the year after,” Mario told F1 Racing.

“It would be a waste if he spent a season testing; if you’re a special talent and the team give you the right preparation, it can happen.

“Look at Jacques Villeneuve and Juan Pablo Montoya – Williams gave them thousands of miles of testing over the winter.”

The timing would also be perfect for a new American name to come into F1.

While Scott Speed is making waves at Toro Rosso, there is no denying that the loss of Montoya and Villeneuve – F1’s two biggest US racing icons – is likely to have an impact on the sport’s popularity in America.

And with Bernie Ecclestone looking to fix a second US date to the calendar, what better way to boost awareness than with America’s most famous racing name competing in F1.

Andretti Sr reckons that the switch to F1 would not be beyond Marco either.

“He’s a road racer at heart,” he said.

“His style and persona would make him a perfect F1 driver – he’s aggressive and a quick learner.

“I see so much within him that would work in Formula 1.”

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I trust Mario's assessment of Marco's skills. If he says he has it, then he has it. Michael did abysmal by some accounts, but there were reasons for that besides his driving. Michael's driving was pretty damned good considering his teammate, Senna, had the team Senna-ized.

One thing Mario doesn't seem to understand, however, is that Marco needs to run in GP2, not IRL. Ask Wheldon how good IRL is for getting an F1 seat. Indeed, ask Bourdais how well ChampCar is. Alot has changed in that series since Montoya and DaMatta.

Marco needs to be in GP2. Are you reading this, Mario?

[narain fan]

Autumnpuma, on Aug 20 2006, 10:16 PM, said:

One thing Mario doesn't seem to understand, however, is that Marco needs to run in GP2, not IRL. Ask Wheldon how good IRL is for getting an F1 seat. Indeed, ask Bourdais how well ChampCar is. Alot has changed in that series since Montoya and DaMatta.

Marco needs to be in GP2. Are you reading this, Mario?

indeed as JV sarcasticly said that F1 teams would rather hire a moto gp driver than one racing in ovals

[Autumnpuma]

narain fan, on Aug 20 2006, 10:42 AM, said:

indeed as JV sarcasticly said that F1 teams would rather hire a moto gp driver than one racing in ovals

Not only that, but ChampCar, which is mostly a road-racing series, is not really a stepping-stone to F1. I don't believe any American series is looked upon as a proper stepping stone*. Likewise, the Japanese series aren't very credible either. Formula 1 is primarily an European sport and as such, a wise driver looking to get into it should race the proper European feeder series.

*I would say JV was the only exception to that. He was the only one to race in purely North American series and make the step up to Formula 1. Michael Andretti did it, but could hardly be called a success. JPM and DaMatta participated in European series, so they don't really count; CART was just them biding their time. Mario Andretti was like JV, but CART and F1 of the 70's were very similar, so he doesn't count...

[pumpdoc]

Don't overlook young Rahal as a future F1 participant..................Bobby is very smart in mapping Grahams future............

Edited by pumpdoc, 20 August 2006 - 11:54 PM.

[Autumnpuma]

pumpdoc, on Aug 20 2006, 04:51 PM, said:

Don't overlook young Rahal as a future F1 participant..................Bobby is very smart in mapping Grahams future............

I agree.

I think perhaps Bobby is more in tune with how to get Graham into F1 than Mario is for Marco. Mario seems to think it's still the '70's and that American series are viable as a stepping-stone (I think so, but the Europeans in F1 do not...). At least Bobby has put Graham into the international stage in A1GP (where I think he did a decent job for Lebanon...better than Giebler for USA...).

What do you think the chances of getting Graham a testing gig with RBR (I assume Newey and Bobby are still great friends...)?