Mario Andretti epitomised the American Dream as an immigrant who achieved fame and fortune in the land of opportunity. His passion for racing was so intense that he would have pursued it without recognition or financial reward. Few drivers loved racing as much as Andretti, and few suited stardom as naturally as he did, with a charm as effortless as his talent. Despite his desire to race in America delaying his childhood ambition of becoming a Formula One World Champion, Andretti’s journey was remarkable.
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Born | Mario Gabriele Andretti February 28, 1940 Montona, Istria, Kingdom of Italy (current day Motovun, Croatia) |
Andretti always claimed he was born to race, yet his early years required a highly circuitous path. Born on February 28, 1940, in Montona, near Trieste, Italy, Mario and his twin brother Aldo spent their first seven years in a displaced persons camp amidst World War II. The family faced overcrowding and severe food shortages. After the war, when their part of Italy was annexed by Communist Yugoslavia, the Andrettis moved to Lucca, Italy. It was here that young Mario discovered his passion for racing.
Mario and Aldo would cycle from home to watch the famous Mille Miglia road race, which passed near Lucca, captivating them with the sight of sports cars speeding through the Italian landscape. The defining moment for Mario came in 1954 at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where he was mesmerised by the Lancia, Maserati, and Ferrari Formula One cars and inspired by drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio and Alberto Ascari. Ascari became Mario’s idol, and even after his tragic death in 1955, he remained Mario’s inspiration.
In 1955, the Andretti family emigrated to America, seeking a better life. In Nazareth, Pennsylvania, the boys found motorsport in the form of dirt track oval racing. At 18, Mario and Aldo started racing in a Hudson Hornet they had prepared themselves. However, Aldo’s career ended abruptly after a serious crash in 1959. Mario, undeterred, continued racing frequently, sometimes participating in as many as five races a day. He excelled on Middle America’s dirt tracks, driving jalopies, sprint cars, and midgets, and developing a reputation for aggressive but fair racing.
Andretti’s success on short ovals led him to conquer the giant speedways, including winning the prestigious Indianapolis 500 and multiple USAC championships. His versatility shone through as he also triumphed in events like the Daytona 500 and the Sebring 12 Hours, but he always yearned for Formula One.
At the 1965 Indianapolis 500, Andretti met Lotus boss Colin Chapman, who promised him a future Formula One drive. Andretti debuted sensationally in Formula One in 1968, qualifying his Lotus 49 on pole for the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen. However, he was reluctant to leave his lucrative American career, leading to sporadic Formula One appearances with Lotus, March, and Parnelli. In 1971, he signed with Ferrari, winning the South African Grand Prix and several sportscar races with co-driver Jacky Ickx.
A lean period in USAC prompted Andretti to focus on Formula One in 1976, joining a struggling Team Lotus. Despite initial friction, Andretti and Chapman developed a strong partnership. Andretti found the Lotus 77 difficult but managed a significant victory at the 1976 Japanese Grand Prix. This success inspired Chapman to create the groundbreaking Lotus 78, which Andretti helped develop, leading to four wins in 1977. In 1978, Andretti achieved his dream, becoming World Champion with six victories in the innovative Lotus 79.
Chapman’s subsequent cars failed to compete, and after unproductive seasons with Alfa Romeo, Andretti returned to American racing. However, the lure of Formula One remained, and in 1982, he made a final appearance for Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, qualifying on pole and finishing third, a fitting end at the circuit where his passion for racing began.
Mario Andretti Formula One World Championship career
| F1 Career | 1968 – 1972, 1974 – 1982 |
|---|---|
| Teams | Lotus, March, Ferrari, Parnelli, Alfa Romeo, Williams |
| Entries | 131 (128 starts) |
| Championships | 1 (1978) |
| Wins | 12 |
| Podiums | 19 |
| Career points | 180 |
| Pole positions | 18 |
| Fastest laps | 10 |
| First entry | 1968 United States Grand Prix |
| First win | 1971 South African Grand Prix |
| Last win | 1978 Dutch Grand Prix |
| Last entry | 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix |
Sources: Formula1.com and Wikipedia.com
