I met Marco Andretti today

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

Stranger things have happened. I'm not doubting you, but I don't know you. I'll believe it when he's officially signed.

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

Met his dad twice. Was he as big an a-hole as his father? Marco in F1?

Met his dad twice. Was he as big an a-hole as his father? Marco in F1?

He was very nice.

Marco is slow, ya know...

Stranger things have happened. I'm not doubting you, but I don't know you. I'll believe it when he's officially signed.

ooh yes i remember Marco impressing us with his honda tests in jerez...

he'd only be in F1 because of his name

Edited by glorius&victorius, 15 August 2009 - 07:15.

I saw Josh Hayes in the bathrooms at Sears Point this year. He was taking a piss. I told him good luck and that weekend he won. I should have started a thread about it.

But it worked so much better as a snarky little reply.

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

Good on ya Barri, nice story

Can I guess that he was buying the shirt to show a bit of support for Massa and his injuries? - kind of nice to think so.

he'd only be in F1 because of his name

Well theres a first !!

I saw Josh Hayes in the bathrooms at Sears Point this year. He was taking a piss. I told him good luck and that weekend he won.

You wished a man good luck for a successful piss? ewwww

Edited by cheapracer, 15 August 2009 - 08:32.

he was quite good in alms lmp2 car... his contract expires this year for indycar too

Nice info Barri...

Never ceases to amaze me, that people can offer info forward in good faith and still some complete asshats see fit to make sarcastic comments

he was quite good in alms lmp2 car... his contract expires this year for indycar too

His dad owns the team so I think contracts are irrelevant.

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

Good on you Barri, thanks for sharing It must have been an exciting moment. I remember bumping into his dad Michael shopping with his wife on Melrose Avenue the day after the CART race at California Speedway at the time (we're talking 1998) and even though he was supposed to be a bit of a tool he was very nice and friendly to us and took all the time in the world to chat with me and my friend for about ten minutes (with his wife getting increasingly bored waiting for him to finish).

I'm not Marco's biggest fan in IndyCar but would still like to see him in F1 with USF1 next year to see what he is capable of.

If I was lucky enough to meet an Andretti id probably post a thread too. As a passionate motorsport fan it would be an honor to met a member of one of the most influential motorsports families ever.

It must be hard to see F1 as the pinnacle of your career when you have McDonalds or Pepsi lining up to pay you millions to race in front of home fans. It's great to see Marco is different but does he have the motivation? You'd think he'd be over in Europe already if he did ...

If I was lucky enough to meet an Andretti id probably post a thread too. As a passionate motorsport fan it would be an honor to met a member of one of the most influential motorsports families ever.

Nice story, be good if he did come into F1.

But he needs some firmer results in IRL first, he has virtually no road course form at all.

its no secret Marco is on the list for USF1 problem is Marco wants gurantees he will AT LEAST be midfield/front. Nobody will sign until the car stats are know.

Nobody will sign until the car stats are know.

How do you mean?

Until the engine is known you mean?

They're all pretty similar these days aren't they?

I think there'd be queue of drivers trying to squeeze there was into USF1.

Whether the team actually happens is another question.

I think it will evaporate in January, with Windsor and his pal blaming the recession.

problem is Marco wants gurantees he will AT LEAST be midfield/front.

Wow, that is a problem then.

Four seasons in IRL: one win, a handful of podiums, and only finishes in the top half of the field 1/3rd of the time.

Marco, the car ain't going to take you there if you can't get it there, as your daddy's outrageously pathetic attempt back in 1993 showed...

Why doesn't he do us a favor and mouth off about how McLaren sabotaged his daddy's chances at F1, so he can truly burn any possible bridges to F1?

(I thought he already had, but it appears maybe not...)

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

I'd be amazed if he ends up in F1. I'd be even more amazed if he ever scored a point. That said, this is pretty credible evidence to the contrary (of my first notion, anyway )

As far as I can remember, his father was against Marco coming in Europe racing in GP2. It's Mario who's pushing Marco to come in Europe, but he spent a bit too much time in Indycars... should have come after his 2nd season.

As far as I can remember, his father was against Marco coming in Europe racing in GP2. It's Mario who's pushing Marco to come in Europe, but he spent a bit too much time in Indycars... should have come after his 2nd season.

Yep, he should have gone to GP2 if he was serious about F1.

Would give him a chance to learn all the European circuits, get used to living in Europe etc.

Would give him a chance to learn all the European circuits, get used to living in Europe etc.

does not need to......his pop proved that.......he can just show up on the weekends to race, unless somebody forgets to remind him.


Won't be with usa fi whatever, it will be with Ferrari

Edited by Just waiting, 15 August 2009 - 19:08.

In all fairness to Michael he had a handicap: his wife, Sandra. Didn't McLaren get a 200 foot restraining order against her?

Any least Marco wouldn't have that. OMG! She's his mama!

Oh, Peter Windsor, you didn't deserve that ...

Edited by nordschleife, 15 August 2009 - 20:04.

Marco is part of "Felipe Massa Ferrari Fridays" and was looking for his Felipe Massa gear to wear in support of Felipe every Friday until the end of the season or when felipe returns.

Join us on facebook where the event happens...

Many drivers are there in support of felipe.

I work at a Ferrari shop in Miami Beach, Florida, when at arround 8 pm, Marco Andretti comes in looking for a Felipe Massa shirt. After he paid for the shirt, I asked him when he was going to F1. He said, "pretty soon, perhaps next year." After he said that, I immediately ask him if USF1 was the team he was going for. He didn't say anything but gave me the biggest smile, and made a face like I knew what I was talking about. Finally I told him I was looking forward to see him in F1, and that I really wanted to see him there. He appreciated that comment, and left saying: "next year."


Just wanted to share that with you guys, I thought it was pretty cool.

Edited by GrndLkNatv, 15 August 2009 - 23:54.

If I was lucky enough to meet an Andretti id probably post a thread too. As a passionate motorsport fan it would be an honor to met a member of one of the most influential motorsports families ever.

Because of Mario and Aldo.

Way cool that you got to meet Marco.

Wherever he ends up racing, whatever he ends up doing, he is by bloodlines, part of a great racing heritage.

He's doing his part to carry on the great Andretti name.

He probably could have chosen another career path, but blood runs deep.

All the best to him.

I do have to wonder though, what kind of relationship he has with Danica, being that his Dad is her team strategist.

BTW, I got to meet Michael at The Glen last year, he was totally cool, and friendly. Took the time to chat and have his pic taken.

Marco is part of "Felipe Massa Ferrari Fridays" and was looking for his Felipe Massa gear to wear in support of Felipe every Friday until the end of the season or when felipe returns.

Thanks for the heads up, great to see the drivers showing their support.

Way cool that you got to meet Marco.

Wherever he ends up racing, whatever he ends up doing, he is by bloodlines, part of a great racing heritage.

He's doing his part to carry on the great Andretti name.

He probably could have chosen another career path, but blood runs deep.

All the best to him.

I do have to wonder though, what kind of relationship he has with Danica, being that his Dad is her team strategist.

BTW, I got to meet Michael at The Glen last year, he was totally cool, and friendly. Took the time to chat and have his pic taken.

Apparently, Michael is a lot nicer as an owner than he was as a race car driver. Other people have also stated similar experiences to yours. I never tried to meet him as I had always heard bad things about his attitude. Besides, since my favorite drivers were Emmo and Little Al, he was my enemy # 1

Sadly, it appears that neither Marco, Graham nor Just Al have what their fathers had.

shaggy

Apparently, Michael is a lot nicer as an owner than he was as a race car driver. Other people have also stated similar experiences to yours. I never tried to meet him as I had always heard bad things about his attitude. Besides, since my favorite drivers were Emmo and Little Al, he was my enemy # 1

Sadly, it appears that neither Marco, Graham nor Just Al have what their fathers had.

shaggy

Each successive generation will bring something different to the table, that's what makes our sport interesting.

Wot? Nepotism ?

Wot? Nepotism ?

Wow, what a shock - families helping families, thats the way the world works many times.

But we try to at least give lip service to people standing on their own merits.

But we try to at least give lip service to people standing on their own merits.

Do you think thats possible when you have such a family name? I for one can't possibly see Michaels results without immediately thinking of Mario and naturally comparing as I will if Marco makes it to F1 - human nature.

Ralf Schumacher had tremendous results in F1 - but only if you do not see him as a "Schumacher".

And I agree, but Marco isn't being underrated because he had a more famous family member. Hell he isn't anywhere near as good as his dad(who was for lack of a better word, awesome) and he's certainly not going to be some fountain of youth reincarnation of Mario.

Because of Mario and Aldo.

Id be more inclined to say the parents, obviously the dna passed on was something else

Apparently, Michael is a lot nicer as an owner than he was as a race car driver. Other people have also stated similar experiences to yours. I never tried to meet him as I had always heard bad things about his attitude. Besides, since my favorite drivers were Emmo and Little Al, he was my enemy # 1

Sadly, it appears that neither Marco, Graham nor Just Al have what their fathers had.

shaggy

Eh... I don't think one can say that Michael Andretti was not a liked driver. He flunked as a driver in F1, but even there he did not make a bad impression, characterwise. F1 fans and especially the McLaren team (including Senna!) were baffled by Michael's inability to adapt (or his unwillingness to adapt). Senna seemed to like 'the kid'... even Dennis liked him, it seemed.

BTW: I think that Graham is more talented than his father. But the times have changed. The sport is so much broader now. Mario Andretti would still have cut it today (by timemachine!) but Michael? Even Bobby Rahal?

Id have taken Michael at his peak over Mario, for modern cars actually.

Its impossible to argue.

But natural talent is natural talent no matter what the era or the car.

Id have taken Michael at his peak over Mario, for modern cars actually.

Please elaborate. Because Mario raced in the 60's in F1, stockcar, Le Mans-cars, wingless F1 cars, ground-effect cars, turbo-flat bottom cars... he was good in all of them. Michael was very good in Indycars... for the rest I actually don't know.

Well Michael was very much Mario 2.0 because he had the benefit of learning from his father's experience and also racing in a much more intense era. Now if Michael had raced in the 60s and 70s and Mario had been dueling with Montoya in 2000, I'd reverse my opinions. It's not a reflection of who had more 'natural talent', whatever that means, but rather the end product.

Id have taken Michael at his peak over Mario, for modern cars actually.

the posts of yours typically are worth reading, until this....suppose everyone has a bad day...

Please elaborate. Because Mario raced in the 60's in F1, stockcar, Le Mans-cars, wingless F1 cars, ground-effect cars, turbo-flat bottom cars... he was good in all of them. Michael was very good in Indycars... for the rest I actually don't know.

the 60's and the 70' and the 80's

JUst the best and most dominant driver in all these series at one time or another

Not only were there times when he dominated nascar as in 67 daytona 500, (in a time before spotters became esential and it was the driver who was on his own), Indy, AND F1--
as in DOMINATED F1 in the time before wind tunnels, data acquisition and engineers,---he basically was the guiding force in taking a messed and back of the pack Lotus to the dominant car in the 1970's, due to his feedback and talents in sorting out the car, as well as pure speed

he dominated in f1, before wings became dominate and then later, when ground effects became dominate---he was at the cutting edge of that technology

He also dominanted in sports car as well as dirt tracks...
First real F1 race, waktins in 68, he shows up and takes pole....

no. michael is about 1/10 of his pop....
Outside of Indy, where micahel was very good, but not dominant, Michael has no other claim to fame

Mario also urged that his grandson go to europe at a very young age, some four years ago, and race the junior series, as training, but michael overruled him and used his sponsors to pay the grandson well........so if ole grandpa had done it his way, we might already have a young andretti in F1 and one who was earning respect....but no.......we got what we got.

Edited by Just waiting, 16 August 2009 - 11:27.

Marco had the Andretti bloodline going about the time he tested for Honda F1, since then he had lost quite a bit of it, life is too easy in a top team in Indycar. And it dulled his skill. I think.

Mario is right, he needed to go to a more competitive enrioment, not so much of the tracks, but to race against some sharks.


Graham has natural talent but half of his dad's brain, again, he missed that certain GP2 test.

Marco Andretti is not even up to level of the top Indycar drivers (Helio, Dixon, Briscoe)...

Stupidity is the softest word that I can find for someone who will deliberately put him on an F1 car.

Marco Andretti is not even up to level of the top Indycar drivers (Helio, Dixon, Briscoe)...

Stupidity is the softest word that I can find for someone who will deliberately put him on an F1 car.

Word you are looking for is nepotism.Some second generation drivers are great like Nico,but if we look at example Lauda jr,Schekter and others,then only Nico deserves to be in F1.

Marco had the Andretti bloodline going about the time he tested for Honda F1, since then he had lost quite a bit of it, life is too easy in a top team in Indycar. And it dulled his skill. I think.

Mario is right, he needed to go to a more competitive enrioment, not so much of the tracks, but to race against some sharks.


Graham has natural talent but half of his dad's brain, again, he missed that certain GP2 test.

guys at radio le man say something entirely different... he should do alms , transformed other drivers, like briscoe

I think being with Penske reformed Briscoe.

Word you are looking for is nepotism.Some second generation drivers are great like Nico,but if we look at example Lauda jr,Schekter and others,then only Nico deserves to be in F1.

I think Tomas Scheckter had the talent to have made it... his only mistake was crawling around on the wrong kerb.

Jag were looking for an excuse to bin him. He was advised to not fight the charge too vigorously.

I think Tomas Scheckter had the talent to have made it... his only mistake was crawling around on the wrong kerb.

I think Scheckter is quite underrated actually.

Seems to do a pretty good job these days.