Formula One and IndyCar world champion, Mario Andretti, was born in Montona, Italy (now Motovun, Croatia). Andretti is the only driver to win the Indianapolis 500, the NASCAR Daytona 500, and the Formula One World Championship—an unmatched legacy in racing.
“From a very young age I knew I wanted to race,” Andretti said. “It was always Plan A. There was never a Plan B for me.”
Andretti’s breakthrough came in 1965 at Indianapolis Raceway Park (now Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park), where he earned his first IndyCar victory. That win paved the way to his first championship title in the series.
“Winning was like confirmation for me,” Andretti said. “Once I accomplished that it gave me confidence. It’s how I knew that racing was where I belonged.”
Racing, however, carries immense risk. Drivers face extreme speeds that compress reaction times and magnify the force of any impact.
“People are always surprised why we choose to risk so much when racing,” Andretti said. “I don’t think I can answer the ‘why?’ It’s personal for everyone.”
Andtetti’s personal passions carried into his life off the track. He reflected on his family’s support throughout his racing career.
“I got married and had kids young,” Andretti said. “Even under such dangerous circumstances, my wife never made me feel guilty for racing. She knew I loved her and our family and never made me feel selfish because she saw how much I loved what I did. I realized later in life how fortunate I was to have her.”
He now lives in Pennsylvania, where his passions extend beyond racing—to technology and animals.
“A few years ago I had a pet pig,” Andretti said. “Martini was his name. My daughter won two at a fair. George Clooney got one too.”
At first, he wasn’t thrilled about the pig.
“Somehow it became like another child to me,” Andretti said. “It lived for 17, almost 18 years. I loved him and felt like I had a relationship with him. I cried when he died. I was upset—Clooney’s lived a few months longer than mine.”
Andretti also has a mischievous pet parrot.
“The parrot would play tricks on Martini,” Andretti said. “We had a dog door for the pig to go in and out of the house. When the pig would come inside, the parrot would say ‘Martini want to go outside?’ And the pig would get confused and turn around, going right back outside.”
Now at peace with his journey, Andretti sees his life as full and rewarding. Andretti retired from competitive racing in 1994, but he remains active in the sport as part of Andretti Global and as a board member of Cadillac’s Formula 1 program, which will headquarter in Fishers, Indiana.
“I don’t feel like I’ve worked a day in my life,” Andretti said. “And my kids are doing well. That’s all a father can ask for.”
He also offers advice for the next generation.
“If something captures your imagination, especially from a young age, pursue it,” Andretti said. “If it’s motorsport or anything else, find opportunities and take advantage of them.”
