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MARCO
ANDRETTI INTERVIEW
Andretti Autosport - IRL teleconference : 2009-03-18
You've been busy this off-season. I know
everybody stays busy in the off-season, but you've had the
opportunity to do at least probably more racing than anyone
else has, competing in A1GP. How much does that help as you
come back into the season and especially the fact that we start
the season with two street events?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I think it's been huge, because the main thing that I always
stress is that it's not just testing race cars, it keeps you race savvy, as
well, because I think a small mistake is definitely magnified in a race, so
it keeps you really on your toes, and it's a form of training for what we're
doing. These cars are pretty physical, and the road courses, as well. It's
definitely the most physical of all.
Also the competition over there is pretty tough, too. We're just now getting
the hang of this car, unfortunately just towards the end of that season. But
we've got a couple more chances at it, I think. Hopefully we have a couple
more races over there. I have Portugal in between St. Pete and Long Beach,
so I'm definitely going to carry on being pretty busy, but it's definitely
the way to go. If you're going to stay busy, you might as well stay in a car.
Talk about the IndyCar Series in 2009.
Last year you certainly had some great moments like a second-place
finish at Indy, a few finishes that I'm sure you wish could
have been better. Looking ahead, what are your goals and expectations
for 2009?
MARCO ANDRETTI: It hasn't changed since I've stepped
in, as well. Indy, it's the biggest race in the world. Indianapolis, as a team
we've been super competitive there every year, and then the championship, I
definitely think we're going to have a shot. I think the word for me this year
is definitely consistency because we've led at a lot of different types of
racetracks in different years but were unable to capitalize. So this year is
going to be -- I'm going to be looking to capitalize at a lot of races. I don't
see a weak spot in the championship for our whole team, really, so I think
that definitely -- I can't wait to get going.
Marco, you talked about that consistency
is something you're looking for this year. Could you analyze
in a little more detail the parts of your game that have to
improve this year to move up the notches?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I think across the board we're going to be strong on the 26
side because you need it from everybody. When I talk consistency I mean the
whole team, but also in my driving, because there's been -- just my whole part,
my whole role. I play a big role in trying to make good race cars because that's
what lets us do the job.
In the past, I've had cars that were just absolutely diabolical and then cars
that could win the races, and we were unable to capitalize. So we need to capitalize
on days that we have the car to win the race, and on days that we don't, it's
going to be the toughest, but that's going to be where I think you make the
difference. When the car is not working, that's where it's more into my hands
in the race where you just need to bring it home as best the car can do.
Q. Can you talk a little bit about Peter
Gibbons? He was with your dad and he's like an icon, and how
you get along with him and how that will work out?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I've definitely been fortunate enough to kind of get a little
bit of a head start in working with him in the A1 stuff. Mechanically the cars
are pretty different, but he stepped in late in the season and just kind of
got the hang of it straightaway and got me pretty good race cars over there
already. And then in the little bit of IndyCar testing we've done so far, it's
been almost as good as it could have been.
I love the confidence in him, and does the whole team this year. I'm lucky
enough to have a great assistant engineer, and I think the three of us work
great together in the room. And then we have Kyle (Moyer) and we have the best
mechanics in the business, as well. So I'm looking forward to it from all aspects
this year
Q. What about your dad not in your ear
this time? You're not going to be hearing your dad and that
voice will be different?
MARCO ANDRETTI: It's the first time he actually is going to speak on the radio,
so it's big for him. I think it's good for Danica, as well, because there's
been times where dad sees the race unfolding and just doesn't have the final
-- well, he has the final call, but sometimes you have to make the decision
too quick and it's already too late. So I think it's going to be great for
him.
Marco,
you've had a chance to interact with J.R. Hildebrand (who ran
the rookie sessions during Marco's A1GP trips). what do you
think of having him as a teammate down the road?
MARCO ANDRETTI: Definitely consider it. Like dad said, we've been working together
overseas and stuff like that, and to be honest I've been super impressed with
the limited amount of driving that he's had because obviously he flies a long
way and just does one session, and he's straight up to speed and he's already
given us great feedback, like we're able to actually go on and start the test
plan with him, you know what I mean? We've gotten to the point where I don't
have to do it again. I don't have to test the items again. We just take his
word, and I think he's got a great feel. He already did a great job, he ran
Sebring for us, as well, in IndyCar. We're already learning from him a lot.
He has the speed, as well. So it's been pretty impressive.
Q. Marco, your thoughts on coming back
to Sonoma this year?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I can't wait. That place has always been pretty good to me.
And especially because I think in the offseason we've been really working on
our road course game, in particular just staying in the seat helps, driving
go-karts, driving the A1, and setup-wise, as well, we've really been working
on our road course cars because I think the four of us, the four AGR drivers,
should always be in the top five on the road courses. That's going to be the
goal this year. I think that's going to pay big dividends in the championship
for us.
Marco,
you've done a lot of racing this season, offseason, I guess. I'm
sure that's going to help you on your road courses, but how will
that help you on the ovals?
MARCO ANDRETTI: I think any driving is good driving, but I think the oval, I
was really thinking about the Homestead test, now I've got to think about going
left and everything. But we seem to bounce right back into the oval mode, so
to speak. I think there it really just -- I think it really puts a demand on
car setup and stuff like that and just having a feel for what you need, and I
think if you're able to do that and find the comfort, I think you're able to
get the job done, because on the ovals you can only do what the car is going
to allow you to do.
Really I think, like I said, any driving is good driving. I've had some -- we've
had some good oval cars in the past, so hopefully that will be a good starting
point for this year, and hopefully we can just improve on that.
How much input as a driver do you have to
your engineer on how to set up your car?
MARCO ANDRETTI: Well, I would say it's about half and half. Really you've got
to tell him exactly what the thing is doing. I think that's what's good about
this year. I think my engineer is really going to push me to a new level and
really help me think outside the box. A lot of times I would find myself suggesting
something and a lot of times we might go with it when I might not be right. I
think this year a lot of times he'll agree with me if the test is going smooth
and stuff like that, but a lot of times he'll put his foot down and we'll try
something else and it'll turn out to be right. I think it's going to be good.
I look forward to working with Pete this year. |
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It
hasn't changed since I've stepped in: Indy, it's the biggest
race in the world.
Indianapolis,
as a team we've been super competitive there every year,
and then the championship, I definitely think
we're going to have a shot.
I think the word for me this year
is definitely consistency because we've led at a lot of different
types of racetracks in different years but were unable to capitalize.
So this year I'm going to be looking to capitalize
at a lot of races.
I don't see a weak spot in the championship
for our whole team, really, so I think that definitely -
I can't
wait to get going!
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