Mario Andretti driving a McLaren at the United States Grand Prix

Mario Andretti is back! No, the 1978 world champion is not going to come out of retirement at 82 but will still put on the suit and helmet again. Present in Miami last weekend on the sidelines of the 5^e Grand Prix of the season, the American, who notably took the opportunity to discuss the possible arrival of the family team in F1 in 2024, was able to reach an agreement with Zak Brown, CEO of McLaren, with a view to returning to the asphalt.

The manager of the Woking team has indeed confirmed that he will offer Mario Andretti the opportunity to get back behind the wheel of a Formula 1. At 82, the man who defended the colors of Lotus, Ferrari or even Alfa Romeo in the past will be able to sit aboard an old McLaren as indicated by Zak Brown on Twitter. “ We agreed with Mario to tick a box on his wish list: he will drive an old McLaren."

Honored to stand between @Marioandretti and @emmofittipaldi on the grid in Miami. Two world champions and legends of our sport.

Struck a deal with Mario to tick something off his bucket list – he'll be driving a previous @McLarenF1 race car at this year's US GP in Austin 👊 pic.twitter.com/FWzEzNzmvE

- Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) May 10, 2022

The agreement between the two compatriots even has a date. It will be for the United States Grand Prix in Austin from October 21 to 23.

Zak Brown is not new to this type of agreement. Last year, the CEO of McLaren had already promised to Daniel Ricciardo that he could drive Dale Earnhardt's Chevrolet Monte Carlo if he won. Something promised, something due. Winner of the Italian Grand Prix, the Australian took the wheel of his idol's machine in Austin.

 

 

 

 

 

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