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Marco Andretti gets a second shot at F1
Looks like Honda Racing was pretty impressed with Marco, too. Marco Andretti, the teenage son of former CART champ and one-time F1 pilota Michael, and grandson of former F1 and CART campione, Mario, will be back in the saddle of the Honda RA 106 for a couple of days. Marco had a brief run at Jerez back in December that apparently went well enough for Honda to invite him back for more. Sporting director (and former CART champion himself) Gil de Ferran said that because the RA 106 was still available this week in Jerez, they would love to have the youngest racing Andretti take a few more laps. The IndyCar (IRL) Series 'Rookie of the Year' will be on track in Jerez on 2/7 and 2/8 while Jenson Button and Christian Klien continue to work on the new RA107 chassis.
After an impressive, if somewhat heartbreaking, second place finish in last year's Indy 500, the 19-yr-old Andretti has been seen as a highly visible talent who could potentially draw American fans into Formula 1. While his first test in the Honda RA 106 went well, Marco admitted it was too short to reach any conclusions: "I felt that I did a good job in December but on the first day you spend more time getting used to the car and familiarizing yourself with the circuit," he said. "When I get in the car this time, I am sure I will be able to hit the ground running. I'm looking forward to it."
[Sources: Paddock Talk and Guardian Unlimited]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
J 1:20PM (2/07/2007)
I guess this is the advantage of being of the sole engine suopplier for INDY car, you get first pick of the best drivers for your other factory backed teams.
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Dandy 1:33PM (2/07/2007)
19 and gets to drive F1 cars. Incredible!
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Richard 1:35PM (2/07/2007)
He posted a fast time of 1:22.151. 16th fastest of 16.
Fastest today was Massa in the Ferrari: 1:19.746
Jenson Button in the other Honda: 1:20.751, 13th fastest
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slicecom 2:12PM (2/07/2007)
Hey Dandy. 19 is crazy but Nico Rosberg tested an F1 car at 17!
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