The son of three-time IndyCar Series championship-winning team owner and former CART champion Michael Andretti and grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti... started racing karts at age nine... enjoys relaxing at the family lake, playing tennis and riding anything with a motor.

INTERVIEW
An exclusive interview with Marco answering questions sent in by fans.

What does the Andretti name mean to you?
To me, Andretti means racing and passion.

How old were you when you knew you were going into the family business.
Nine years old.

I know you have Italian-American parents and grandparents. Are you a proud Italian-American?
Of course.

Who taught you to drive and how old were you?
I can't remember when I wasn't driving something even at a very young age. As for who taught me, I think that I was born with some of the feel that I use in driving but, when you grow up in the Andretti household, there are no shortage of teachers.

Now that you have a few years experience of top class race cars, how does this impact on your fitness.
Driving race cars at our level is a lot more physical than anyone can imagine. Fitness is paramount. Like most of the other drivers I have a full physical fitness regiment but the best training of all is actually seat time in a race car.

What does it feel like after a tough, physical race?
When I do well, I feel a real sense of pride like I have really accomplished something positive.

How do you keep fit? Are you good at other sports?
I do a lot of cardio-vascular work; running, biking and elliptical. My weight workouts consist of lighter weights with more reps. As I said before, testing and racing the car is the best way to keep fit for my job. As for other sports, I am pretty good at tennis.

Do you have to watch what you eat?
I probably don't have to but I do watch what I eat and try to live a very healthy lifestyle.

It seems like a very busy life you lead. Do you get much time to yourself? Are you sick of living out of a suitcase?
Yes, I do get some time for myself but, after a day on my own, I am ready to get back to work. I don't need much time off. I like moving around. I guess I get bored very easily. Suitcases are OK. No complaints there.

How technical are you? Can you do an oil change on a road car?
Sure I can the change oil but I wouldn't classify myself as being extremely technical. I can't say that I know how to put a motor back together, but I do try to have a full understanding of what everything does on a car and how the performance of the car can be impacted with adjustments.

Can you heel-and-toe?
No. Never. I left foot brake which I learned in go-karts.

Does your race contract prevent you from doing some recreational things - like skiing for instance?
There is some language in my agreement that precludes me from some activities such as bungee jumping, sky diving and the like.

What do you think of Lewis Hamilton and his rookie season at McLaren Mercedes?
The record he set with podium finishes may never be beaten. McLaren did everything right with him and groomed him at a very young age. The most important thing though is that he got a ton of laps in the F1 car before he ever drove in a Grand Prix.

Would you like to see your younger brother or sister become a racing driver - and what do they think about it?
Selfishly, I wouldn't want to see them become race car drivers because I wouldn't want to worry about them getting hurt. I don't see that happening anyway. I see my brother as an engineer and my sister in public relations.

We see your mom Sandy at races all the time. How does she feel about watching you race?
She is very nervous. She prays a lot and, truthfully, that probably has saved my butt a couple times already. She is very supportive.

What do think about women in motorsport?
I think it's great because it brings positive attention to racing and broadens the fan base.

You once said that your racing heroes are your father, your grandfather and Ayrton Senna. Which current drivers do you admire outside of the IRL?
Rubens Barrichello, Lewis Hamilton and Felipe Massa.

Will you be at the MotoGP race at Indianapolis next year?
I wouldn't miss it for the world and I hope I can attend if I have an off weekend.

Who is the coolest - Valentino Rossi, Nicky Hayden or Casey Stoner?
Nicky Hayden because I know him but Valentino and Casey are bad asses too. Extremely talented and tough.

What's the finest car you've ever driven?
A Ferrari 430.

What's the oldest car you've ever driven?
I don't normally like older cars unlike  Dario Franchitti, so I really don't have a good answer for this.

What's the last book you read?
The Life of Ayrton Senna.

What's on your iPod right now?
Everything. All kinds of music except country and punk. I like to put together CD mixes with techno, house, club, oldies, new rock and hip-hop.

Do you have any family pets?
My mom has about six dogs. I will soon be getting a miniature tiger.

If you were not a racing driver what career do you think you'd be good at?
I don't know truthfully. That's why I'm grateful there is a sport called racing.

Do you like talking to the media and being photographed all the time?
Actually, I'm kind of use to it. It comes along with the territory plus it's good for all of our sponsors, our team and our series.



Marco Andretti management -  Sports Management Network

Contact John Caponigro via telephone 248.335.3535



 

Full Name
Marco Michael Andretti
Birth Date
March 13, 1987
Birth Place
Nazareth, Pa.
Height
5’8”
Weight
138 lbs.
Residence
Miami Beach, FL
No. 26
Chassis Dallara
Engine Honda
Sponsor Meijer



2008

• Finished seventh in the IndyCar Series championship
• Became the youngest pole position winner when he claimed the pole at Milwaukee, the same place where his father (Michael) recorded his first pole position
• Led a race-high 85 laps and finished second at Homestead
• Finished third at the Indianapolis 500 and led 15 laps
• Led 330 laps on the season, the fourth-highest total of any driver
• Had three third-place finishes (Indianapolis, Iowa, Kentucky)
• Started three races in the AGR ALMS Acura
• Raced in two premier events on the same day (July 12): Lime Rock Grand Prix (ALMS) and Firestone Indy 200 (IndyCar Series)
• Started two A1GP events for AGR, those coming at China and Malaysia
  
  

• Finished 11th in the IndyCar Series championship with 350 points
• Collected second-place finishes at Iowa and Michigan
• Had fourth-place finishes at St. Petersburg and Kentucky and fifth-place results at Watkins Glen and Nashville
• Qualified for the Firestone Fast Six Shootout at three of the four road course events
• Led 13 laps at the Indianapolis 500

• Registered his first career victory at Infineon Raceway, becoming the youngest driver (19 years, five months, 14 days) to win a major open-wheel race
• Earned the 2006 Bombardier Rookie of the Year Award
• Finished second at the 90th running of the Indianapolis 500 in what was the second-closest finish in the history of the event
• Among his four top-four finishes were a victory at Infineon Raceway, second at Indianapolis, fourth at Richmond and fifth at Milwaukee
• Earned Rookie of the Year honors at Indianapolis to join both his father and grandfather in having earned the honor
• Registered four top-four finishes and seven top-10 finishes in 14 races

• Registered victories at St. Petersburg, Indianapolis (road course) and Infineon Raceway and placed second at Watkins Glen while competing in the IRL Menards Infiniti Pro Series
• His win at St. Petersburg came in his first Pro Series event
• Earned Infiniti Pro Series pole positions at St. Petersburg, Indianapolis (road course) and Infineon Raceway
• Recorded three top-five finishes en route to a fifth-place finish in the Star Mazda drivers championship
• Finished 10th in the final Menards Infiniti Pro Series points championship while making just six starts

• Won the Skip Barber Formula Dodge National Series Championship
• Posted Formula Dodge National series victories at Lime Rock (twice) and Elkhart Lake
• Captured the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Southern Series Championship
• Registered 11 wins in the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Southern Series, including Road Atlanta, Moroso Motorsports Park (twice), Daytona (five times) and Sebring (three times)
• Captured the Formula TR National Championship
• Earned Formula TR wins at Fontana (twice) and Buttonwillow

• Completed the Skip Barber 3-day school
• Competed in Skip Barber Eastern Series and won eight of 16 races, with victories coming at Virginia, Lime Rock (five times), Tremblant and Road America
• Won the Skip Barber Formula Dodge Eastern Series Championship
• Named Skip Barber Formula Dodge Eastern Series 'Rookie of the Year'
• Co-champion in Skip Barber regional run-offs

• First season competing in the WKA & NAKA national circuits
• Oakland Valley Race Park Jr. Grand National Champion - Formula Yamaha Jr.
• Stars of Tomorrow Regional Champion
• Stars of Tomorrow National Championship Runner-up

• Registered 10 club wins
• Finished seventh out of 51 competitors in Grand National Championship
• Set fast time and posted track record at Dousman, Wisc.
• World Karting Association Vice Champion - Backward Series
• World Karting Association Vice Champion - Back-to-School Series

• Oakland Valley Race Park champion in two classes
• Oakland Valley Race Park Back-to-School Series Champion
• Oakland Valley Race Park Backwards Series Champion

• Challenge Series Win, Oakland Valley Race Park

• Placed second in first karting event
• Finished season with two victories and six top-three finishes