No GP2 for Marco Andretti

INDIANAPOLIS (by Lewis Franck -Reuters) – Former champion Mario Andretti feels teenage grandson Marco would have nothing to gain at present by switching from American oval racing to Formula One's GP2 feeder series.

"I think right now it's a bit premature," the 1978 champion and winner of 12 grands prix told Reuters by telephone on Saturday.

"All the experts say he needs to go to GP2. I say no. GP2 would be a sideways move, there's nothing to be gained."

Triple champion Jackie Stewart, who raced against Mario Andretti in the early 1970s, said this week that Marco could be just what Formula One needed to get Americans seriously interested in a sport struggling to raise its profile in the United States.

The Scot suggested that Marco should "have the courage" to move to Europe and learn the Formula One circuits in order to be in the frame for a race drive in 2008. A season as a test driver for a top team such as Ferrari rather than GP2 was suggested by Michael Andretti.

"It would be shame on us if we made the same mistakes again," said Michael, referring to the lack of testing he had. Full story at Reuters