On This Day

Mario Andretti

Athlete

Born: South African

Mario Gabriele Andretti is an American former racing driver who competed in Formula One from 1968 to 1982, and IndyCar from 1964 to 1994. Andretti won the Formula One World Drivers' Championship in 1978 with Lotus, and won 12 Grands Prix across 14 seasons. In American open-wheel racing, Andretti won four IndyCar National Championship titles and the Indianapolis 500 in 1969; in stock car racing, he won the Daytona 500 in 1967. In endurance racing, Andretti is a three-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

Andretti and his family were displaced from Italian-controlled Istria during the Istrian–Dalmatian exodus and eventually emigrated to Nazareth, Pennsylvania in 1955. He began dirt track racing with his twin brother Aldo four years later, with Andretti progressing to USAC Championship Car in 1964. In open-wheel racing, he won back-to-back USAC titles in 1965 and 1966, also finishing runner-up in 1967 and 1968. He also contested stock car racing in his early career, winning the 1967 Daytona 500 with Holman-Moody. He took his first major sportscar racing victory at the 12 Hours of Sebring that year with Ford.

Notable For

American racing driver

Mario Andretti's Historical Timeline

  1. Mario Andretti is born

    Mario Andretti, South African athlete, known for american racing driver, was born on 1941-02-28.

Associated Historical Events

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Mario Andretti born?
Mario Andretti was born on 1941-02-28 (South African).
What is Mario Andretti known for?
American racing driver
What historical events involved Mario Andretti?
Mario Andretti was involved in 1 recorded historical event, including Mario Andretti is born.

Related Years