It is said that quality is never lost, and in the case of the Formula 1 world champions it seems to be a reality, as one of the most loved and remembered names in history, Mario Andretti , demonstrates. The American took the world title in the 1978 season with Lotus after scoring 64 points and six wins, rendering the efforts of Ronnie Peterson and Carlos Reutemann useless, second and third in the general classification respectively.
Now 82, he pursues the dream of having a team in motorsport’s top flight in 2024 along with his son Michael , but that doesn’t stop him from having a good time on the circuit. Recently, the winner of 12 grand prix, got behind the wheel of a modern McLaren single-seater on the Laguna Seca track for the Velocity Invitational , a festival of cars that takes place on the Californian track.
It was the MP4-28 , the vehicle used by the Woking team in the 2013 season with which Jenson Button and Sergio Pérez only added one fastest lap and their best performance came at the Brazilian Grand Prix with a fourth and sixth place, so they climbed to the podium throughout the year and were fifth in the constructors’ world championship.
Mario Andretti was not at all shy about having a modern Formula 1 car in his experienced hands, even daring to go through some of the curves of the California circuit at high speed. Fans of the Great Circus and the classics were sure to be delighted with the video posted on the Goodwood Road & Racing channel, managed by the famous British festival.
In addition to him, another world champion was also riding, Mika Hakkinen, who got on the MP4-2 with which the Woking team won three drivers’ world titles between 1984 and 1986 and two constructors’ titles with Alain Prost and Niki Lauda . There was also the Mexican participation of Patricio O’Ward , who tested the MP4-5 , the British won another couple of championships in 1989 and 1990 , and also awaits its official premiere in Formula 1 free practice at the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. that closes the current course of the category.
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