Brown promises: Andretti may drive a McLaren F1 car in Austin

Martin Brundle witnessed a special meeting between McLaren team owner Zak Brown and former Formula One driver and team owner Mario Andretti last weekend in Miami. For Brown promised to make a big dream of Andretti's come true: Driving a modern Formula One car.

Andretti may drive McLaren F1 car

Between 1968 and 1982, Andretti drove 128 Grands Prix and became world champion with Lotus in 1978. In total, he won twelve races in his Formula One career. In addition, the American became champion in the IndyCar and finished second at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995. The now 82-year-old Andretti may not have been an active driver for years, but that doesn't mean it doesn't occasionally itch for him to get back into a car.

In Miami, Andretti indicated that driving a modern Formula One car is on his bucket list. McLaren team owner Brown doesn't let himself say that twice and immediately offers Andretti the opportunity to step into a McLaren Formula One car. "I've always wanted Mario Andretti to drive for me," quotes WTF1.com the team boss.

Brown wants another bet

The deed is immediately done. On the weekend of the United States Grand Prix, it must happen, then Andretti may step into an older specification of the McLaren, Brown promises. "But we have to make some kind of bet, because that's what I do with my drivers," Brown added. What exactly that bet entails, however, remains to be seen.

Andretti himself, meanwhile, could hardly believe his ears. "Wow, really?", said the overjoyed former driver who immediately shook Brown's hand to confirm the deal. This is undoubtedly going to create some great moments in Austin.

Honoured to stand between @MarioAndretti and @emmofittipaldi on the grid in Miami. Two world champions and legends of our sport.

Struck a deal with Mario to tick something off his bucket list - he'll be driving a previous @McLarenF1 race car at this year's US GP in Austin pic.twitter.com/FWzEzNzmvE

— Zak Brown (@ZBrownCEO) May 10, 2022