Mario Andretti’s journey through the world of motor racing is a testament to resilience and passion, spanning multiple decades and disciplines. Born in 1940 in Montona, an Italian town that later became part of Yugoslavia, Andretti’s early life was shaped by upheaval. In 1948, his family fled the region amid political tensions under Marshal Tito’s regime, ultimately living for seven years in a refugee camp in Lucca, Italy. The cramped and challenging conditions, including sharing a single room with nine other families without running water, left a lasting impression on Andretti, who recalls feeling unwelcome and ostracized during that time.

Even in those difficult circumstances, Andretti and his twin brother Aldo nurtured a fascination with motor racing, frequently cycling to witness the Mille Miglia endurance race and attending events like the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where they admired legendary driver Alberto Ascari. Their love of racing remained a constant through their migration to the United States in 1955, despite initial struggles such as language barriers and a desire to return to Italy.

Within a year of arriving in America, Mario and Aldo had built their first race car together—a converted 1948 Hudson Hornet stock car—laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most varied and successful careers in motorsports. Andretti competed across numerous series including Formula One, NASCAR, sports car racing, Can-Am, and IndyCar. Notably, he returned to Monza in 1977 to win the Italian Grand Prix and claimed the Formula One World Championship in 1978, becoming the second American to do so. He has since reflected on the bittersweet nature of that title, earned following the death of his close friend and Lotus teammate Ronnie Peterson, stating he would have gladly traded the championship to have Peterson back.

Andretti’s career longevity is remarkable; he competed at Le Mans in 2000 and, at age 63 in 2003, recorded a 225 mph lap at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. One of his dramatic moments came while racing for his son Michael’s Andretti Green Racing team, when his car struck debris at high speed, became airborne, yet landed upright leaving him with only a minor injury.

Throughout his career, Andretti embraced racing across various formats, excelling beyond his Formula One achievements. He recalls the camaraderie and lighter moments of the F1 circuit in earlier days, contrasting them with the sport’s current atmosphere. He also reflects on his rivalry and relationship with James Hunt, noting both memorable on-track clashes and mutual respect.

Andretti remains outspoken about changes in modern Formula One, particularly lamenting the loss of the louder, normally aspirated V8 engines, which he believes contributed significantly to the sport’s excitement. Looking ahead, he hopes to see a young American driver achieve success in F1, ideally with an American team, despite acknowledging the challenges posed by licensing requirements and the sport’s European-centric infrastructure. For Andretti, however, determination is key. “If you really want it, you make it happen,” he says, embodying the relentless drive that has defined his extraordinary life in racing.