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The unfortunate team swap that ended Mario Andretti's F1 career


Published on 2025-01-15 16:05:20 - MSN
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  • In an impressive Formula 1 career that featured starts with March, Ferrari, and Lotus, it took just one unfortunate car to bring Mario Andretti's international open-wheel legacy to an end. Heading into the 1981 season,

Mario Andretti's Formula 1 career came to an abrupt end due to a series of unfortunate events following a team swap in 1982. Initially, Andretti was set to drive for Williams, but the team opted for Keke Rosberg instead, leaving Andretti without a competitive seat. He then joined Ferrari, but his tenure was marred by reliability issues and a lack of competitive machinery. His final race with Ferrari was at the 1982 Italian Grand Prix, where he finished third, but the season was overshadowed by the tragic death of his teammate Gilles Villeneuve. After Ferrari, Andretti moved to Alfa Romeo, where he faced similar challenges with uncompetitive cars. His last F1 race was at the 1982 Caesars Palace Grand Prix, where he finished 15th. Despite these setbacks, Andretti's legacy in motorsport remains untarnished, with his earlier successes, including the 1978 World Championship, cementing his status as one of the greats.

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