DECEMBER 9, 2006

Marco Andretti to test for Honda F1!

Rising American star Marco Andretti is to test for Honda Racing F1 at Jerez on Friday. The 19-year-old American, son of sometime F1 driver Michael Andretti and grandson of F1 World Champion Mario Andretti was the rookie of the year in the Indy Racing League this year and will remain in the American series for the next two seasons because of a contract with Andretti Green Racing but his test with Honda is nonetheless an interesting move and one which will surely attract attention in the United States of America where the Andretti name is a hugely powerful marketing tool. The test is understood to have come about because Honda is looking at new ways to promote its F1 activities and at the same time wants to look at the youngster to see if perhaps he might one day follow in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Marco career to date has been very impressive. He started racing in karts at the age of 10 and then moved into Barber Dodge racing in 2003, winning the Eastern Series at his first attempt. He moved on to win the national title in 2004 and then jumped straight into the Infiniti Pro Series although he competed in just six of the 14 events in 2005. This year he moved into IRL and won the rookie of the year award, finished second in the Indianapolis 500 and in August became the youngest ever winner in the history of the series.

The news will be a huge shot in the arm for F1 profile in the United States and although it may not lead to anything in the short term, as Marco tries to win the IRL title and the Indianapolis 500, it may give him a taste for F1 for the future.