AGR Signs Marco Andretti

macdaddy · 15 Dec 2005, 05:12 (Ref:1484438)

Quote:

Marco Andretti will be joining Dario Franchitti, Tony Kanaan and Bryan Herta on the IRL's most dominating team in '06 and his father, the all-time winner in CART who quit racing following the 2003 Indy 500, will be in a fifth car for May.

Story here.

StickShift · 15 Dec 2005, 05:43 (Ref:1484447)

It's hard to turn down race-winning machinery and favoritism on a silver platter.

I feel bad for his road-racing career. He really should've tried his hand in Europe like he wanted.

Fiorentina 1 · 15 Dec 2005, 06:25 (Ref:1484454)

I REALLY hope he doesn't end up in the hospital. He should have gone to Europe, like you said A season of GP2 would have done him some good. Too bad he listened to the wrong Andretti....

rustyfan · 15 Dec 2005, 07:00 (Ref:1484464)

Who's to say he didn't probe the GP2 market? Would have been nice to see him there, I agree, but at the same time it will be nice to see him in IndyCar as well.

I have to wonder whether he's ready though.

racer69 · 15 Dec 2005, 07:04 (Ref:1484468)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

I REALLY hope he doesn't end up in the hospital.

Geezus

rustyfan · 15 Dec 2005, 07:07 (Ref:1484471)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1

I REALLY hope he doesn't end up in the hospital.

There is no question IndyCar involves a higher risk than quite a few other racing championships, and that is one of the downsides with close, hard racing.

climb · 15 Dec 2005, 07:42 (Ref:1484480)

I feel quite uncomfortable too, tho I wish him all the best.

Hazza · 15 Dec 2005, 08:44 (Ref:1484513)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fiorentina 1
I REALLY hope he doesn't end up in the hospital.

OH NO! We can't race at the Isle Of Man! Someone might get hurt.

Good on old Marco, it'll be great too see how he goes in a top line series.

Word is also posted here and contains more Michael Andretti return rumours.

D.R.T. · 15 Dec 2005, 12:10 (Ref:1484665)

Surprised is an understatement.

Based on others that have stepped up from IPS recently, I guess it would be wrong to expect too much.

Has Marco tested recently ? I haven't heard anything and it just seems odd to sign him before he has a proper work out, especially if he is your son.

I can remember Michael giving Marco a run earlier this year in the IRL car, which he abruptly spun leaving pit lane

Bluewolf · 15 Dec 2005, 12:45 (Ref:1484686)

This is a shock -- Marco's obviously talented though -- I submit he will start off carefully and by mid season he will be turning some heads ---- Great to see Michael in the 500 again!!! Would be fantastic for him if he can win the 500.

luke · 15 Dec 2005, 13:25 (Ref:1484716)

Hmm, we could see it comming but I never thought this early. As Wheldon left I guess it would be possible, good luck to him, but this year or last was his first year of single seaters racing was it not? If it was then and espcially at 230+mph oval racing It will be interesting to see how he takes to it, I know he did IPS and Toyota Atlantic rounds, good luck to him anyways I expect Michael will have him in perfect shape for it.

Tim Northcutt · 15 Dec 2005, 13:54 (Ref:1484750)

I just hope he is not bringing Marco along too quickly....but the young man does have an abundance of talent...no doubt about that...

coyote9999 · 15 Dec 2005, 18:02 (Ref:1484874)

I am in shock. I would have thought he would have entered a support series but was wrong. Good luck to him and glad to see his dad back.

sr230772 · 15 Dec 2005, 18:11 (Ref:1484879)

hes not experienced enough he sould of gone to europe then come back

andy_b · 15 Dec 2005, 18:13 (Ref:1484880)

have to say, this sounds like more of a move because of 'the family' rather than to benefit his career. I also feel is a little too early. he has a lot to learn

Xpunk75 · 15 Dec 2005, 18:56 (Ref:1484903)

I'm going out on the Limb! I pridict Marco Adrettie wins the Indy 500 and the Championship next year in his rookie season! hahaha! yeah!

BootsOntheSide · 15 Dec 2005, 19:22 (Ref:1484918)

Do you really think Michael would put his own son's life in danger? Or force him into a bad career option? He obviously feels Marco is a good choice for the team - even if nepotism is clearly involved, Kim Green could have vetoed the chocie if he was strongly opposed.

andy_b · 15 Dec 2005, 19:47 (Ref:1484930)

Quote:

Originally Posted by BootsOntheSide

Do you really think Michael would put his own son's life in danger? Or force him into a bad career option?

I'm not saying that as such, but you can't tell me Michael is completely objective in that situation. He's going to be just a little bit biased don't you think

+ how much was the drive relative to say a drive in GP2 with another team. I wish him well, as he does seem to have some talent there, but I just wonder if its the the right move, and even if it is, is it too soon?

Kicking-back · 16 Dec 2005, 16:08 (Ref:1485386)

It's Michael's team, he can employ who he wants to.

luke · 16 Dec 2005, 17:16 (Ref:1485420)

Hmm I never knew that!

Snrub · 16 Dec 2005, 19:08 (Ref:1485470)

I am surprised. Take a look at Marco's Star Mazda performances. It's clear that there are many other drivers out there who are in a better position to make the transition to the IRL than him.

Bobby Rahal choses to put his son in Atlantics for 2006. Michael Andretti choses to put his son who is slower than Graham in the IRL. Who's the wiser father? I can't see the direct comparison to Dario, Kannan and Herta being favorable to Marco.

rustyfan · 16 Dec 2005, 22:24 (Ref:1485567)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snrub

I am surprised. Take a look at Marco's Star Mazda performances. It's clear that there are many other drivers out there who are in a better position to make the transition to the IRL than him.

Bobby Rahal choses to put his son in Atlantics for 2006. Michael Andretti choses to put his son who is slower than Graham in the IRL. Who's the wiser father? I can't see the direct comparison to Dario, Kannan and Herta being favorable to Marco.

But at the same time, you can never know - Marco might just surprise the lot of us.

JohnSSC · 17 Dec 2005, 12:55 (Ref:1485741)

If there is anyone on the planet who knows about "expectations" and what it is like to follow a famous father, it would be Michael Andretti.

While older than Marco when he made his CC debut, Michael was still young. Yet, he still managed to have a decent career! In Marco's case he may well have the pace. He seems to definitely have the desire and the blood line.

The Andretti's do not do things haphazardly nor rashly. Mario's brother Aldo is a living reminder of what can go wrong. I think that anyone that would suggest that Mario or Michael would support putting Marco where he does not belong or would be a danger to himself or others is wrong. Mario and Michael both have achieved so much in their careers there is no need for them to use Marco to add to their own legends nor to that of the family.

Let's see how things go with the kid before judging his driving ability or assuming that Michael is "pushing" him.

Snrub · 17 Dec 2005, 18:46 (Ref:1485846)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rustyfan

But at the same time, you can never know - Marco might just surprise the lot of us.

I agree, there is no telling. Take a look at Andrew Ranger though. He's clearly got the speed to be in CC and he surprised a lot of people with how quickly he caught on given his age. From a mental maturity standpoint he wasn't ready. His season in CC may have done his career more harm than good.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnSSC

The Andretti's do not do things haphazardly nor rashly.

Try posting that comment in the F1 forum and see what kind of response you get.

You'll only get away with that here because we know how talented Michael was.

shambles · 17 Dec 2005, 20:17 (Ref:1485866)

He's gonna struggle to adapt, but he's an Andretti and I expect he'll take to it. I think it's our job as fans, not to expect to much from him at this stage - and my god, he is really inexperienced - I hope it all goes well though, and best of luck to him. Also would be great to see his old man back behind the wheel - any chance of Mario coming out of retirement haha

PAUL

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