On the age of 85, motorsports legend Mario Andretti exhibits no signal of slowing down. Nonetheless energetic in System 1 (as an advisor to the brand new Cadillac F1 group), Andretti joined Károly Méhes for an unique interview to share his opinions on the present state of the game and reminisce about his racing days.
Unique racing pictures kindly provided by Vroomfoto
System 1 has at all times had a presence within the USA, however it wasn’t at all times that widespread. Why do you assume that was the case?
Within the USA there have at all times been many various sorts of racing. An expert driver might have a profitable profession racing in IndyCar, NASCAR or sports activities vehicles with out even desirous about System 1. However System 1’s reputation has exploded dramatically within the final couple of years, particularly since Drive to Survive. This sequence has woke up an all-new viewers in a approach we’ve by no means seen earlier than. It’s fantastic to see. And now now we have three races within the USA.
I fell in love with F1 once I was an adolescent and nonetheless residing in Italy. [14-year old Andretti attended the 1954 Italian Grand Prix at Monza as a spectator]. Once I moved to America, F1 was at all times in my thoughts, though I used to be competing in different sequence and having some good success. I by no means stopped on the lookout for a possibility to drive in System 1. Then I met Colin Chapman and likewise received to know the individuals at Ferrari. It was very encouraging to have contact with the highest groups.
You lastly received your likelihood with Lotus in 1968, beginning on pole on your first race at Watkins Glen. Did you get pleasure from racing there?
I preferred Watkins Glen. I drove each of the monitor figurations, and likewise raced there in sports activities vehicles and IndyCars. Attendance at Watkins Glen was excellent, it was a serious occasion. Later we had Lengthy Seashore and it was widespread as properly, however after this we raced on totally different avenue circuits and it didn’t work, and we didn’t know why.
You additionally tasted success at Lengthy Seashore, did you want this circuit?
Lengthy Seashore was my favourite kind of avenue circuit. You have to management your aggression and likewise use each inch of the circuit, proper as much as the partitions. I really like the problem and likewise had some luck there. [Andretti won the 1977 USA West Grand Prix at Long Beach for Lotus.] Lengthy Seashore remains to be a well-liked circuit in IndyCar. This race will get the second largest viewers after the Indy 500.
You drove your final F1 race within the USA, on the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix in Las Vegas. How was that circuit?
The circuit in Vegas was very restrictive as a result of it was actually quick. It might have been higher for go karts! This was my final race in System 1, however I used to be not completed but as a result of I went again to IndyCar, the place I received 18 extra races and the championship!
American groups have come and gone in System 1 through the years, by no means with a lot success. You even inspired your IndyCar group, Parnelli, to affix System 1. How was that have?
The issue with Parnelli was that the one one who actually cared about this system was me…! There was some pleasure from others concerned, however their efforts weren’t adequate. After doing a number of races with them in 1975, they determined to drag out of System 1 with out telling me!
I bear in mind sitting on the grid in Lengthy Seashore in 1976, and one of many broadcasters requested me how I felt about Workforce Parnelli pulling out of System 1 after the race. I stated it was information to me! In the end it labored out properly for me, as a result of I used to be in a position to be a part of Colin Chapman at Lotus and we had plenty of success within the subsequent few years.
You’ve been concerned in lots of initiatives to advertise System 1 within the USA. Do you assume you’ve helped issues go in the fitting path?
I don’t know if I had any affect, however my love for System 1 by no means vanished. My life in motor racing was born out of a love for System 1, and this sport gave me the chance to accomplish my largest dream of turning into world champion. I’ll at all times be constructive about System 1, as a result of it’s my life and I’m nonetheless an enormous fan.
System 1 is at the moment racing at three circuits within the USA, in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas. Is there room for any extra?
I need to say that three races may be very bold, however it’s working properly. I don’t assume we want extra, since you run the chance of oversaturating the market. I believe now we have to be glad with three venues. It’s not simple to decide on between the three circuits, although I’ve a tender spot for Austin, as I used to be a advisor through the early days of Circuit of The Americas. It’s a really fascinating monitor. Miami is fascinating as properly, the organizers have invested some huge cash and are doing an excellent job. The race in Las Vegas takes over the entire metropolis, and I believe that race can be right here for a very long time to come back.
A brand new group from the USA can be becoming a member of the grid subsequent 12 months. Do you remorse that it’s Workforce Cadillac and never Workforce Andretti?
All of these items are out of my management. The F1 venture was began by my son, Michael. After he retired from racing, he at all times had ambitions to turn out to be a group proprietor. He had nice successes along with his IndyCar group. I by no means shared his ambition to turn out to be a group proprietor however I’m very pleased with what he has achieved. I advised him I used to be able to assist in any approach, however I didn’t need a job.
I used to be solely ever focused on driving, however in case you ask my opinion, for instance concerning the driver scenario, I’m prepared to supply my recommendation. And that’s the way it’s labored out with Cadillac. Michael is now not concerned within the venture, however they requested me to be an adviser. I didn’t need a fancy job title or to must make large choices. If I need to go to a System 1 race subsequent 12 months, at the very least I do know that I’ll have a motorhome to go to!
Is Cadillac able to step as much as System 1 subsequent 12 months?
I believe every part goes in the fitting path. Cadillac may be very dedicated and the operation at Silverstone is flourishing. It’s nice to see how everybody is filled with constructive power. I’m a small a part of it, however I’m glad to be concerned.
The individuals working the group know their job and know the scale of the problem they’re going through. I do know they’re working arduous and doing every part they will to realize outcomes, and that’s all you may ask. You can not work miracles, however each group faces the identical problem subsequent 12 months with the brand new rules. I’m additionally actually thrilled that the group has managed to safe Ferrari engines.
Had been you consulted about Cadillac’s selection of drivers for 2026?
I used to be requested my opinion, and I agreed that Pérez and Bottas have been the proper decisions. They’ve the 2 finest accessible drivers, in addition to an excellent third driver in Colton Herta. Pérez and Bottas have labored with prime groups, received races and are very skilled. I don’t assume a brand new group might do any higher. It’s fantastic that they have been accessible and have been keen to affix the group.
How do you are feeling concerning the current type of Ferrari?
I had good relations with Enzo and can at all times have a particular love for Ferrari. I received my first System 1 race with Ferrari and likewise ended my profession there. Concerning the present scenario, I might like to see Ferrari doing higher. They positively have succesful drivers.
Lastly, what do you count on from the remainder of the 2025 F1 season?
McLaren finds itself in a incredible scenario. The automotive is acting at a really excessive degree and so they have two drivers who’re each able to profitable. Oscar Piastri appears to have the higher hand after Lando’s retirement at Zandvoort, however as a group they do an exceptional job. I’ve actually loved seeing the group’s efficiency enhance so dramatically!
