Our column dedicated to Le Club des Pilotes des 24 Heures du Mans gives voices today to Mario Andretti. Mario, who was norn in Italy in 1940, owns one of the greatest records as far motorsports is concerned.

He has been Formula One World Champion in 1978 behind the wheel of a Lotus 79, has been four times Champion in the Indy Series (three times CART Champion, one Champ Car), he has been winner of the Indy 500 -he has the more Indy Series win after A.J, Foyt-, has been two times IROC Champion, has won three times the Sebring 12 Hours (Ford GT40, Ferrari 312P and Ferrari 512S), the Daytona Six Hours, partnered with Jacky Ickx, the year before the event became the Rolex 24 , he has even won a NASCAR Sprint Cup race, he nearly won every race (109 wins), but the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though he he has not won overall the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though he won the WSC category in 1995 when he was runner-up in 1995, while he was also on the podium(third in 1983 with a Porsche 956) in eight appearances at Le Mans phased over 34 years between 1966 and 2000. So, he has narrowly missed joining Graham Hill, sole holder at date of the triptych Formula One World Championship-24 Hours of Le Mans-Indy500.

Mario has kindly agreed to answer a few questions :

Is it important for you to be a member of the Club des Pilotes des 24 Heures du Mans ?

“Yes.  It is very prestigious club.”

What do the 24 Hours of Le Mans represent for you ? Where do you situate them in the hierarchy of motorsport ?   

“The 24 Hours represents the absolute top level of sports car racing.    It is the crown jewel of sports car racing.”

What did you feel about the Le Mans atmosphere ? Can you compare it to Sebring or Daytona ?

“The atmosphere at Le Mans is special and unique only to Le Mans.   It cannot be compared to any other event.   To me there is no comparison in the world.” 

Which event is toughest ? Daytona, Sebring, Indy, or Le Mans ?

“Each is its own unique beast.   It depends on the conditions.   Each one can be the toughest on any given day.”

What did you like at Le Mans ?    

“I loved everything about Le Mans.   I love driving, the circuit, the ambiance and I love the opportunity to be there.”

You have been Formula 1 World Champion, you have been three times CART Champion, you have been winner at Sebring and at Daytona, but you have not finished first overall at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, though you have been twice on the Le Mans podium. Is it a big disappointment ?     

“In 1995 we won class and finished second overall.   We can claim a win because it was first in class.  The only disappointment was that it was not first overall.”   

What are your best Le Mans memories ? The worst ones, if any ?     

“All of my finishes are my best memories.   All of my worst memories are not finishing.”

In 1988, you have been racing at Le Mans with Michael, one of your sons, and with John, your nephew, and you have been racing with Michael previously at Le mans too, as you have raced with Michael and Jeff at Daytona. How much the family is it important for you ?

“There is nothing more special than to race with your own family, especially at an event as important as Le Mans.   I consider myself fortunate to have had that opportunity.   In fact, if my sons and grandsons want to do it again – I’ll join them.”

Can you give us some words about your 1983, 1988 and 1995 races at Le Mans ?    

“All three are special. In 1983 we finished 3rd  (myself, my son Michael and Philippe Alliot).    In 1988 with my family team (myself, my son Michael and my nephew John) we started 3rd and finished 6th and ran from 1:00 am to finish on five cylinders.   In 1995 I won class and finished second overall with Bob Wollek and Eric Helary.”

You have driven many sportscars in your career. Which one did you prefer ?   

“Any car that I won a race with – that was my favorite.”

What drivers do you consider to have been your main oponents ?    

“There are too many to mention.”

How do you see the future of motorsport ? 

“The future of motorsport is very bright.   Very strong.”

Mario Andretti, in addition to the 1983, 1988 and 1995 races, has been racing at Le Mans in 1966, 1967, 1996, 1997 and 2000. He could have been racing one more time in 1982. He was partnering with his son Michael behind the wheel of a Mirage M12 Ford (below). The Mirage has been certifeed at the scrutineering before the qualifying session. Mario and Michael had qualified the car in ninth place, but just before the race a marshall noticed an oil cooler behind the gearbox which did not comply with the regulations and the car was excluded of the race.

In 1966 and 1967, Mario Andretti was part of the Ford assault at Le mans. His teammate was Belgian Lucien Bianchi, once with a Holman and Moody entered GT40 MkII in 1962 (retired, head gasket) and in 1967 with another Holman and Moody entry, a GT40 MkIV (retirement, accident with the Roger McCluskey and Jo Schlesser’s GT40Ss MkIIB)

In 1996 (below), he finished in 13th place, partnered by Jan Lammers and Derek Warwick with a Courage Porsche C34.

In 1997 (below), he was driving a Courage C36 Porsche with Michael Andretti and Olivier Grouillard (DNF, accident).

For his last Le Mans race in 2000, he was driving a Panoz LMP-1 Roadster with Jan Magnussen and David Brabham. The car was 4th on the grid, just behind the three works Audi R8s and finished in 15th place.

We warmly thank Michael Andretti.

Thanks too to Christian Vignon, Bernard Brothier and Pierrick Chazeaud for their contribution.

More pictures   here