Marco Andretti: “I put all my energy into one race, the Indy 500”

Years pass and Marco Andretti (Andretti) is still an actor in the Indianapolis 500. This Sunday, May 29 at 18:45 p.m. French time, the American will take part in his 17th Indy 500 with the

Imagine an American driver synonymous with the Indianapolis 500, and you will most likely think of Mario Andretti, even though he only entered his name once on the BorgWarner Trophy in 1969. When his grandson Marco decided to tackle the Indianapolis 500 in 2006, the public's expectations were immense.

The son of Michael Andretti had then done the hardest part to win the legendary race on his first attempt until an incredible finish from Sam Hornish Jr (Penske) deprived him of a coronation by a breath: 0.0635 seconds, the third closest finish in Indy 500 history.

At the time, the 19-year-old seemed to have a bright future. This defeat was not serious, since he had his life ahead of him. However, in 2022, the native of Nazareth has still not joined his grandfather on the list of winners, despite three podiums (3rd in 2008, 2010 and 2014) and a pole position in 2020.

Tired of laborious seasons in IndyCar, Marco Andretti wanted to take a step back in 2021 by only aiming for the Indianapolis 500, and to reconvert toIMSA in LM P3 as well as in a stock car championship, SRX Racing, where he scored his first victory... in a 10-year career.

The story-telling of Marco Andretti's success at the Indy 500 in 2022 would be history with a capital H, due to the weight of his last name. If this fame stressed him out when he was just a young man, the 35-year-old veteran is now coping better.

“I finally managed to shape my life as I wanted it, he explained at a press conference before the big meeting. I'm not completely retired. I feel good without the chore of a full IndyCar campaign. I put all my energy into one race, the Indy 500. I'm perfectly comfortable with (the history of) this place. The pressure is what I decide to put on my shoulders to try to win here. So, I don't care what my last name is; I want to win this race. » There is no risk of accusing him of a lack of ambition.

Maximized our 4 lap speed potential today. On to race work Monday. Don't count the 98 out to win this race. pic.twitter.com/18f81HiUFp

— Marco Andretti (@MarcoAndretti) May 21, 2022

Marco Andretti quickly regained his bearings despite a last start in IndyCar dating back a year, at the 500 Indy 2021 (19th). “Usually this race is an extension of a season. It's different today. I'm even more excited because I've put everything I have into this event for almost a year. From the second round I was all in; I wondered how this was going to happen but it was really very simple. »

Unfortunately, Marco Andretti has suffered a glaring lack of pure speed since the start of testing. “It’s a problem that makes life very difficult at the Speedway, he confirms, pointing out a fault in the car. Power always makes things easier! This is the second year in a row that the car is not the fastest in the Andretti team, by far. »

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As a result, Marco Andretti will have to press the right pedal longer when starting from 23rd place. “In traffic we are really good, he declares. You'll just have to be patient. I think I now have the car in a position to chase the competitors in front of me, and I believe that this is how you will move up in the rankings in the race. »

One of the most experienced drivers on the grid welcomes the quasi-summer conditions forecast for Sunday, sprinkled with gusts of wind. “This gives me an additional opportunity, because the balance of the car will have a bigger role (compared to cool and windless climatic conditions. Ed.) and pure speed won't matter as much. Well, unfortunately it may also depend on a combo of pure speed, luck and car balance to win this race, but if we combine luck and balance then we will have a good chance. »

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