American · Nazareth, USA · Born 28 February 1940American racing driver who became Formula 1 World Champion in 1978, the only American to achieve this feat, and winner of the Indianapolis 500.
Mario Andretti was born on 28 February 1940 in Montona, Italian Istria, a region that became part of communist Yugoslavia after the Second World War, forcing his family to flee. From 1948 to 1955, the Andrettis lived in a crowded refugee camp in Lucca, Tuscany, sharing a single room with several other families, before finally emigrating to Nazareth, Pennsylvania, in 1955. While still in the Lucca refugee camp, young Mario and his twin brother Aldo watched a section of the Mille Miglia endurance race and became captivated by two-time F1 champion Alberto Ascari, sparking a lifelong passion. Unable to afford a car of their own in America, the twins built their own race car and began competing, alternating as driver in local Pennsylvania events. Andretti went on to become one of the most versatile drivers in motorsport history, winning the 1978 Formula One World Championship, four IndyCar titles, the 1969 Indianapolis 500, and the 1967 Daytona 500, along with three class wins at the 12 Hours of Sebring — a breadth of achievement across disciplines matched by very few drivers ever. Andretti's F1 title, secured at Monza in 1978, was overshadowed by the death of teammate Ronnie Peterson in the same race weekend, a tragedy that tempered his championship celebration. He remains one of only two drivers, alongside Jacques Villeneuve, to have won both the Indianapolis 500 and the Formula One World Championship, and continues to be regarded by many as the greatest all-around racing driver in the sport's history.
1978 Formula 1 World Champion and versatile racing across multiple disciplines
How They Played
Aggressive, adaptable driver known for racing anything with wheels
Lasting Impact
Only driver to win Formula 1 World Championship, Indianapolis 500, and Daytona 500
Career Honours
- Formula 1 World Champion 1978
- Indianapolis 500 Winner 1969
- Daytona 500 Winner 1967
- Pike's Peak Hill Climb Winner 1969
- USAC National Champion 1965
- USAC National Champion 1966
- USAC National Champion 1969
- CART IndyCar Series Champion 1984
- Formula 1 Grand Prix Winner - United States Grand Prix 1977
- Formula 1 Grand Prix Winner - South African Grand Prix 1971
- Formula 1 Grand Prix Winner - Japanese Grand Prix 1976
- 24 Hours of Daytona Winner 1967
- 12 Hours of Sebring Winner 1967
- AP Male Athlete of the Year 1978
- IROC Champion 1979
- Only driver in history to win the Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, and a Formula 1 World Championship
- 3x United States Driver of the Year (1967, 1978, 1984) — only driver to win it in three different decades
| Constructor | Season(s) | Races |
|---|---|---|
| Dean Van Lines (USAC/IndyCar) | 1964–1969 | — |
| Holman-Moody (NASCAR) | 1966–1969 | 14 |
| Lotus (Formula 1) | 1968–1969 | 2 |
| STP-March (Formula 1) | 1970–1972 | 5 |
| Scuderia Ferrari (Formula 1) | 1971–1972 | 9 |
| Parnelli (Formula 1) | 1974–1976 | 13 |
| Team Lotus (Formula 1) | 1976–1980 | 56 |
| Penske Racing (IndyCar, part-time) | 1976–1978 | 19 |
| Alfa Romeo (Formula 1) | 1981 | 14 |
| Williams (Formula 1) | 1982 | 1 |
| Scuderia Ferrari (Formula 1, 1982 return) | 1982 | 3 |
| Patrick Racing (CART/IndyCar) | 1982 | — |
| Newman-Haas Racing (CART/IndyCar) | 1983–1994 | — |
| Career Total | — | 136 |
American Athletes