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Video: Mario Andretti driving McLaren F1 car at Laguna Seca

Posted by AR1 staff

82-year-old Mario Andretti got to live out his dream today at Laguna Seca driving a modern-day F1 car – a 2013 McLaren MP4 28a.

Andretti, the most accomplished American driver in Formula One history and one of the iconic names in motorsports, climbed back into a cockpit for a spin in a modern F1 car to fill out his bucket list.

Mario is, without exception, the finest ambassador our sport has today. Fast in everything he’s ever raced. Revered and respected by all.

Mario Andretti – out of the garage and on his way

“It’s sweet but obviously I left a lot on the table,” Andretti said. “It’s all about getting the proper gearing and some of the problem for me was the way my helmet was vis-á-vis my steering wheel. I couldn’t see the numbers on my downshift. In some corners I got it right and in others I didn’t.

“In general, though, it is what I expected. It’s a sweet feeling as a driver, so satisfying. The car just does what it should do.”

Andretti’s F1 career spanned from 1968 to 1982. He won 12 races in 128 starts and claimed the 1978 world championship.

Mario Andretti on way to victory at Kyalami in 1971 in the South African GP – his first F1 win
Mario Andretti put this Lotus on pole for his very first F1 race – the USGP at Watkins Glen in 1968
Mario Andretti puts the Ferrari on pole for the 1982 Italian GP at Monza and finished 3rd fighting throttle issues

1978 Argentina GP – race winner Mario Andretti driving his year-old Lotus 78
Mario Andretti on way to victory in the 1978 Spanish GP at Jarama
Sebring 12 Hour, Sebring, FL, 1967. Bruce McLaren (left) and Mario Andretti (right) pose with the race winning Ford Mark IV.