Mario Andretti

Mario Andretti
Mario Gabriele Andrettiis an Italian American former racing driver, one of the most successful Americans in the history of the sport. He is one of only two drivers to win races in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR. He also won races in midget cars, and sprint cars. During his career, Andretti won the 1978 Formula One World Championship, four IndyCar titles, and IROC VI. To date, he remains the only driver ever to win the Indianapolis 500,...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth28 February 1940
CityMotovun, Croatia
CountryUnited States of America
From the driver's standpoint I had the same horrors, the same satisfactions, the same everything. The speed is relative. It's faster and things are happening quicker, but you have the equipment to handle it.
The experts or the cynics say, "Oh, those were the good old days, that's when drivers were really drivers. They didn't have all these aids." You know what? What we had, we did the best with and when we got more we provided what was needed.
It takes a lifetime to build tradition.
I'm so thankful that I've had such a long and uninterrupted career. I count my blessings every day for that because it was so fulfilling.
I had no problems staying motivated because things that were happening were things I looked forward to.
Speed takes a little bit of getting used to, but rules have to be followed. At any speed, the more you run, the more you get used to it.
If you don't feel out of control, you're not driving fast enough.
Sometimes you have to bring back only the steering wheel so the car owner will know that you're giving it all you have.
When a car's ahead of you, as long as you can see it, you get a tow, just like the draft in NASCAR. Even if it's a long ways down the track, it punches a hole in the air that has to help. When you're running alone, you can feel the difference, and it shows on the clock, too.
Unfortunately, we don't educate drivers enough to be respectful on the road.
My last race was at Le Mans in 2000, my first race was in 1959, so I dodged a lot of bullets along the way, I can tell you that.
Motor racing is like one big family, ultimately, and when you come back to it, that's really what it feels like.
Sebastian Vettel's brilliant talent will ultimately come forth and he'll continue to show what he's capable of. I will never ever degrade Vettel's ability. Sooner or later, he'll prove anyone so wrong
When you are losing it can seem like there is a black cloud following you around, but like they say there is a silver lining in every cloud.