Marco Andretti ready for F1 in 2008, says Mario

Rex Judicata · 20 Aug 2006, 16:46 (Ref:1687483)

Grandfather Mario thinks Marco has the right stuff for F1 -- and could arrive as soon as 2008. Perhaps so, and let us hope his arrival is more carefully planned and managed than was Michael's.

See the full story at: http://www.itv-f1.com/News_Article.a...37058&PO=37058

BootsOntheSide · 20 Aug 2006, 17:12 (Ref:1687512)

Maybe he's right, but only if he does a road course series very successfully in 2007. No need to rush him, he's still young and inexperienced.

Knowlesy · 20 Aug 2006, 17:14 (Ref:1687519)

Marco has car control to die for, I know I've said it before but he reminds me a lot of Montoya in Champcar. OK, IRL cars are less powerful than those cars were and all, but he is still very good.

I'd love to see him in F1, although after traction control makes a disappearance.

A season or two in Champcar would be decent preparation.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2006, 17:45 (Ref:1687553)

Now a kid to get the family name where it deserves to be in F1.

Rex Judicata · 20 Aug 2006, 17:48 (Ref:1687555)

Quote:

Originally Posted by knowlesy

Marco has car control to die for, I know I've said it before but he reminds me a lot of Montoya in Champcar. OK, IRL cars are less powerful than those cars were and all, but he is still very good. I'd love to see him in F1, although after traction control makes a disappearance.

I watched his work in the 500, and then at the Glen. He could be the real thing. I am certain that Mario will make sure that he does not repeat Michael's mistakes in F1.

mountainstar · 20 Aug 2006, 18:11 (Ref:1687573)

This sounds like a disaster waiting to happen.

Blazing around ovals does almost nothing to help an F1 career. So 2 years in the irl then right into F1 without testing? Yeah right. Sounds like these people never learned.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2006, 18:21 (Ref:1687581)

They are Andretti aren't they ? Hopefully he's not like his father.

Knowlesy · 20 Aug 2006, 18:26 (Ref:1687586)

Michael never really got a fair shot at it to be honest. Not helped by his own quirks of course.

A fantastic driver was made to look an idiot.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2006, 18:38 (Ref:1687600)

He might had not a fair shot, but he clearly made fireworks at McLaren...

strider · 20 Aug 2006, 18:51 (Ref:1687617)

Quote:

Originally Posted by mountainstar

Blazing around ovals does almost nothing to help an F1 career. So 2 years in the irl then right into F1 without testing? Yeah right. Sounds like these people never learned.

Totally agree about the IRL, but from what I've read that's not going to happen.

At one time there was talk of him doing GP2, which would have been good for learnng the circuits and the routine of an F1 weekend, but the latest news seems to be that it will definitely be Champ Cars. He should be very strong in that and it would be a good boost for the series.

duke_toaster · 20 Aug 2006, 19:21 (Ref:1687655)

A season in GP2 running some A1 events would have been a smarter move than Champ Cars.

**Bononi** · 20 Aug 2006, 19:39 (Ref:1687675)

Agreed. Maybe it's still time to change it.

VilleneuveTracy · 21 Aug 2006, 03:01 (Ref:1687836)

If he goes to Champcar will AndrettiGreen racing also move to Champcar?

Chatters · 21 Aug 2006, 07:51 (Ref:1687933)

I think 2010 might be a bit more realistic for young Marco... First time we've had the grandson of a former champion in F1?

**chunterer** · 21 Aug 2006, 08:37 (Ref:1687966)

I think it terms of just getting road racing mileage champ car would be as good as GP2.

Champ cars are more powerful and might end up being quite close to the F1 cars we see in few years anyway if they turn out to be more 'basic'

Ok, so GP2 is better for learning Euro circuits, but he'd need to come in and do a 2 years stint as that series is so strong he'd struggle to mount a title assault in yr 1.

JohnSSC · 21 Aug 2006, 08:50 (Ref:1687976)

Well, he is only 19 so there is time to do not only IRL/GP1 or 2, but any number of things.

Is IRL enough to train him for F1 - no - and even Mario has said that. Does the kid appear to have the goods to at least try to give it a shot, I think so. By the way, Mario drove on one heck of a lot more ovals than road courses while he was "learning" his trade...

There was an interesting quote in the 20 August New York Times by Marco. I would post a link, but I get the actual paper version of the paper. Anyway, this is just a paraphrase but Marco said father Michael drove "in fear of losing" while he and his grandfather drive for "the joy of winning." Telling how the public's expectations came to weigh on Michael.

Rex Judicata · 21 Aug 2006, 09:53 (Ref:1688015)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

Is IRL enough to train him for F1 - no - and even Mario has said that. Does the kid appear to have the goods to at least try to give it a shot, I think so. By the way, Mario drove on one heck of a lot more ovals than road courses while he was "learning" his trade.

Mario has also said that Marco seems to be a natural road racer. BTW, Aldo and Mario drove on many dirt tracks in a variety of cars during their 'training' period. That old man from Argentina cut his teeth on dirt roads driving an old Chevy. All roads lead to Rome.

JohnSSC · 21 Aug 2006, 10:32 (Ref:1688051)

One wonders what would have happened if Aldo had not been injured - a family racing record perhaps unmatched in the sport...sigh, what if....

Seriously though, being well-rounded never hurt anyone. If running laps at 219 mph in traffic do not provide some valuable experience (or at least a measure of relative focus), nothing will.

I would like to see him get a bit more sprts car exposure (LeMans, anyone?) and certainly some higher-level open wheel work in Europe would be lovely.

Funny, for as much as racing on dirt is looked down upon, how many of the greats cut their teeth doing so? Even oval racing "back in the day" was big and perusing a list of those who ran at Brooklands one would find a number of those folks on the grids at various times.

How they laughed when AL Foyt went to LeMans...best American to have not gotten a start in an F1 car.

JohnSSC · 21 Aug 2006, 11:32 (Ref:1688054)

and that should be: "AJ" Foyt...

Rex Judicata · 21 Aug 2006, 14:39 (Ref:1688095)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

... "AJ" Foyt...

John - I think that some of the years AJ ran Indy, it was on the FIA's WDC list. Foyt was like Andretti - he won in anything he drove - something I wonder if today's highly paid drivers could do - or would do. I would like to see today's F1 drivers also run at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, etc. in sports cars, and then perhaps switch to the high speed ovals in Champ/IRL, and then run NASCAR at Talladega, Atlanta, Daytona, and Rockingham. That would produce a real world driving champion.

deejay · 22 Aug 2006, 01:51 (Ref:1688420)

Speaking of winning, I'd just like to remind everyone that Marco hasn't even won in IRL yet.

I agree has looked good at times, but another season in IRL won't hurt him.

dsg · 22 Aug 2006, 05:24 (Ref:1688467)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rex Judicata

John - I think that some of the years AJ ran Indy, it was on the FIA's WDC list. Foyt was like Andretti - he won in anything he drove - something I wonder if today's highly paid drivers could do - or would do. I would like to see today's F1 drivers also run at Le Mans, Sebring, Daytona, etc. in sports cars, and then perhaps switch to the high speed ovals in Champ/IRL, and then run NASCAR at Talladega, Atlanta, Daytona, and Rockingham. That would produce a real world driving champion.

You need to add the RAC, 1000 Lakes, Acropolis and possibly Dakar to get a real WDC.

JohnSSC · 22 Aug 2006, 12:53 (Ref:1688710)

I agree deejay, Marco has not won in the IRL yet. Proving what? Kimi never turned a wheel in F3000 and it seems he might just be able to stick with an F1 team.

Now I am NOT saying the talent level is the same. I have no way of really knowing. Just saying that many things have happened in the past where drivers did not follow the "normal" progression.

I think you may be right Rex, AJ had some early starts at Indy that may cover that time period. If so, then he is definitely on the list. What a hoot he would have been at Eau Rouge in a late '60s or early '70s F1 car - or one of the turbo cars. I can hear the interview now: "AJ, were you flatout in Eau Rouge?" AJ: "Hell, I was flatout everywhere, don't make no difference what name they give the corner."

Y'all think JPM was "forceful."

Rex Judicata · 22 Aug 2006, 13:00 (Ref:1688720)

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

I think you may be right Rex, AJ had some early starts at Indy that may cover that time period. If so, then he is definitely on the list. What a hoot he would have been at Eau Rouge in a late '60s or early '70s F1 car - or one of the turbo cars. I can hear the interview now: "AJ, were you flatout in Eau Rouge?" AJ: "Hell, I was flatout everywhere, don't make no difference what name they give the corner." Y'all think JPM was "forceful."

Yes indeed. There were many drivers that were afraid of some tracks. I think there were some tracks that were afraid of AJ!

JohnSSC · 22 Aug 2006, 13:23 (Ref:1688735)

Completely off-topic, I know but this is cool about AJ: His daddy built him a mini sprint-type car when AJ was a kid. AJ would drive it 'round the house. The house had gouges in the wood at each corner where AJ would clip the house as he made the corner.

Now that, my young friends is "committing to the corner!" I mean, when you are willing as a child to take on a house then for darn sure there are tracks that are STILL afraid of ole AJ!

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
AGR Signs Marco Andretti	macdaddy	IRL Indycar Series	47	20 Jan 2006 22:19
Marco Andretti for a GP2 test	Kicking-back	IRL Indycar Series	25	31 Jul 2005 04:12
Where is Marco Andretti headed?	jock25	IRL Indycar Series	17	5 May 2005 01:51
Biography: Mario Andretti	macdaddy	Formula One	4	15 Dec 2004 14:42
Mario Andretti	Liz	Sportscar & GT Racing	55	23 Jan 2004 15:33