In the round-up: Formula 1 world champion of 1978, Mario Andretti, says he believes the Andretti team bid to enter F1 is a chance for the USA to be represented “properly” in the sport.
In brief
Andretti F1 team could represent USA “properly”
Formula 1 world champion of 1978, Mario Andretti, says he believes the Andretti team bid to enter F1 is a chance for the USA to be represented “properly” in the sport.
Mario’s son Michael, who raced half a season in F1 with McLaren in 1993, is spearheading Andretti’s bid to join F1 and is in the process of formally applying with the FIA to join as a new entrant. America already has one F1 team in Haas, but the senior Andretti believes his family’s team could be a true American constructor.
“We feel we’re bringing something to the party. We have a commitment from General Motors with Cadillac; it’s a huge investment in our sport,” Andretti told Total Motorsport.
“So I think this spells something positive for the sport. We haven’t seen a fully-fledged American team since Dan Gurney’s All-American Racers, so why not embrace it? The US fan base is so strong. Let’s have a team that represents this country properly. These ingredients should be a positive aspect of F1.”
McCollough “amazed” by Alonso’s desire to win
Aston Martin performance director Tom McCullough says he has been impressed by the determination of new driver Fernando Alonso to succeed with his new team.
Alonso joins Aston Martin for the 2023 season at the age of 41, still seeking his third world championship. McCullogh says he has been struck by Alonso’s desire to win since joining the team in January.
“We’re still really getting to know Fernando,” McCullough said, “but the hunger that I see in Fernando, it just amazes me at this stage in his career.
“It is a driving force for all of us. We are all, as engineers, very driven, very hungry, very data-driven. But to have a driver who is smashing that into you as well is really quite good fun to be honest, so far.”
Simracing “all I’ve had for the last 18 months” – Piastri
McLaren rookie Oscar Piastri says that simracing has been his only avenue to work on his racecraft while he sat out of racing for a year in 2022.
Piastri won the Formula 2 title in 2021 as an Alpine junior driver and spent last year out of racing while acting as reserve driver. Although he completed some tests with Alpine before signing with McLaren for 2023, Piastri says his racing preparation…
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