Marco Andretti will not run the full IndyCar routine this time as the third-technology driver reprioritizes his racing profession.
Andretti will compete in the Indianapolis 500, the historic race his family has notoriously gained just after, and help Andretti Autosport with preseason screening and advancement. He will be in a car or truck up coming 7 days screening in Sebring, Florida.
Beyond that, his routine is open.
“Marco and I have talked about this at length. I assist and respect his conclusion to acquire a aim on other spots of life, and it’s possible even other varieties of motorsport,” group operator Michael Andretti claimed Friday of his son.
Andretti followed his grandfather, father and cousins into IndyCar racing but has under no circumstances located the identical success as his famed family. Mario Andretti, his grandfather, ranks second on IndyCar’s all-time acquire list with fifty two victories such as the 1969 Indy 500. Michael Andretti gained 42 races.
Marco Andretti has two profession victories in 15 seasons, his very last in 2011. The 33-yr-outdated gained the pole in August for the Indianapolis 500 but he did not lead a lap and finished 13th.
He was twentieth in the remaining time standings, least expensive of all full-time IndyCar drivers.
“I consider for any multi-generational athlete, it can be definitely challenging to discover your have ground and make your have title on top of your family’s,” Michael Andretti claimed. “Marco has normally had the braveness to chart his have path and I am proud of the profession he is crafted for himself and the particular person he is become. I know this conclusion wasn’t quick.”
Both equally father and son pressured Andretti is not retiring.
Marco Andretti claimed he hoped to compete in athletics car or truck racing along with his cousin, Jarett, and marquee functions these as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Several hours of Sebring and Le Mans.
“I surely am heading to keep driving,” he claimed. “I nevertheless have a deep enthusiasm for it and have unfinished business to acquire treatment of and some boxes that I want to check before I consider retiring as a driver.
“I continue to be pretty hungry to acquire the Indy 500. It is our most important phase and the position that I really feel I convey the most to the table as a driver.”
Andretti as a rookie was passed when leading on the remaining straight by winner Sam Hornish Jr. in his 2006 Indy 500 debut. He finished second that yr, his ideal finish in 15 races. He was third in 2010 and 2014.
