Andretti thrilled with the return of F1 to the United States
Former F1 driver Mario Andretti expressed his delight at the return of F1 to the Uncle Sam's country this season.
Mario Andretti raced in F1 for 14 years with the highlight of his career being a world championship title won in 1978. The American-naturalized driver is eager to see the F1 cars race in Austin for what will be the return of Formula 1 to the United States for the first time since 2007.
Andretti believes that F1 should be present in the United States and the reverse is also true according to him: “Formula 1 needs to be present in the United States regularly, and the United States needs a Formula 1 race,” Mario Andretti told CNCB.
The United States can count themselves fortunate according to Andretti, as for the first time in F1 history, two races will take place on American soil starting in 2013: With the Circuit of the Americas in Austin and the event scheduled for 2013 in New Jersey, there will be two Grand Prix in the United States for the first time, and that is going to be incredible.
The return of Formula 1 to the United States is the right time for American drivers to try to seize an opportunity to showcase themselves for a chance to drive in F1: «There will be a real bonus for the United States to have Formula 1 drivers who represent them. It has been a long time since we have had potential winners, not just participants.»
However, there are few American drivers who could be present in F1 one day; for now, only Alexander Rossi, a test driver for the Caterham F1 team, seems well-positioned to achieve it.
Andretti also believes that F1 must aim to grow internationally but without neglecting Europe: «We must never forget where the real foundation of Formula 1 comes from: Europe. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with expanding to countries in Asia, like China and Malaysia. I just hope Bernie Ecclestone keeps an eye on the strong tradition Formula 1 has in Europe,» added Andretti.
