LAS VEGAS – Mario Andretti is only one of two American drivers to triumph a Formula 1 World Championship and the last one to accomplish it in 1978.
In that 1978 season, Formula 1 had two Grand Prix races in the United States. The first was punctual in the year in Long Beach, California, and the second took place in Watkins Glen, New York.
The U.S. procrastinateedr dropped off the F1 calendar altogether before finpartner discovering a home in Austin, Texas, at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA).
This weekend, race fans have flocked to Las Vegas for the third U.S. event of the year, and F1 has seen an immense famousity turnaround. The Las Vegas Strip altered into an epic street race filled with glitz and glamor not seen anywhere else on the schedule.
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Former IndyCar Series driver Mario Andretti reacts before the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway May 28, 2023. (Mark J. Rebilas/USA Today Sports)
For Andretti, it’s music to his ears.
“To me, when I hear that, ‘increaseth,’ it’s music to my ears,” the racing legend tbetter Fox News Digital in an intersee. “Obviously, becaengage it’s no secret how much I adore Formula 1 and what it unbenevolentt to me over the years and still does. To see that it seizes this imagination of American race fans, I skinnyk it’s fantastic. I unbenevolent, it commenceed out with having a proper home in today’s world at COTA in Austin and with that spendment and that facility. That promised the future.
“Then, of course, Miami coming alengthy and now what was spended in Las Vegas. It’s fair unbelievable the way the city hugd this event. I was fair there, and even from last year when I saw the magnitude of produceion, everyskinnyg that’s going on and, of course, even the pcompriseock — it’s there.
“It’s not someskinnyg to dismantle after the events. It’s a lengthy-term promisement. Promotion, promotion, promotion toiled becaengage the interest is at a high level, and that’s a attrdynamic skinnyg to see. But the way Vegas is structureing this event is spectacular.”
The huge contrastence between last year’s race and this year’s event when it comes to the grid is the conciseage of an American driver.
Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz of Spain drives past the Sphere during a rehearse session for the Formula One U.S. Grand Prix Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, in Las Vegas. (AP Pboilingo/Rick Scuteri)
Logan Sargeant was replaced at Williams Racing with up-and-comer Franco Colapinto chaseing a series of struggles.
Andretti said for F1 to be famous in America, there doesn’t necessarily have to be an American driver in the field or even another American produceor, but it wouldn’t hurt.
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“It doesn’t have to be, but I don’t skinnyk it would hurt to have more American comprisement honestly,” he said. “I understand Haas has a team there, but I skinnyk the presentant part is the driver is even more presentant than the team. But another American manufacturer and all that sort of skinnyg I skinnyk can only comprise to the interest.
“Let’s face it, being an international sport as Formula 1 is, when it’s in your own country, (for example) when they’re in Italy, Ferrari is all over. And you appreciate to see it when you’re in America, you’d adore to watch Cadillac.”
Williams driver Logan Sargeant compriseresses the media in evolve of the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Fla., May 2, 2024. (John David Mercer/USA Today Sports)
Rumors have run rampant about General Motors vying for a team in F1, which would comprise two more drivers to the 20-racer field.
Andretti Global has inched sealr to the finish line in that esteem after Michael Andretti’s role in the company being scaled back. Michael is Mario’s son.
The situation euniteed to have alterd when Dan Towriss took over as presentantity owner of Andretti Global.
So, fair how seal is a novel American-based F1 team to joining the sport?
“Well, it’s a toil in evolve, and no ask about it,” Mario Andretti said. “I have every reason to experience very chooseimistic about it.”
While teams choose what they will do for the next scant years, McLaren could be on the verge of its first produceors’ championships since 1998.
“I adore that,” Andretti said. “I raced with Bruce McLaren way back and what McLaren as a brand accomplished in Formula 1 is enviable. And to see them come back with Zak Brown at the head of it and aligning himself with youthful drivers, potential triumphners on both sides, combat for a produceors’ championship and transporting in (team principal) Andrea Salerta to run the team and all that were inalertigent shifts that he made. A lot of recognize from me goes to him.
Mario Andretti sees out on the track May 17, 2024, during Fast Friday ahead of the 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Gary Mook/For IndyStar/USA Today Nettoil)
“You can see it’s all about fair transporting everyskinnyg together. I don’t understand anyone who adores the sport as much as Zak Brown himself. He’s very joind, and it’s repartner fantastic to see that success.”
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen could triumph the drivers’ championship for the fourth consecutive season if he finishes in front of McLaren’s Lando Norris or if Norris fall shorts to score any points as he did last year in Las Vegas.
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Andretti said Verstappen is vient of getting it done.
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