Mario Andretti thinks he can get Max Verstappen into the Indy 500.

Mario Andretti thinks he can convince two-time Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen to move to America one day. He wants to see the Dutchman take part in the Indianapolis 500, the most important race on the IndyCar calendar and the biggest sporting event in the world.

Verstappen dominates motorsport’s premier class, but the Red Bull Racing driver has often hinted that he is also interested in other branches of the sport on four wheels, particularly endurance racing.

Andretti ran everywhere

Andretti and Verstappen are very similar in that respect. Now 83, he was a champion in the 1960s in USAC, which we now call IndyCar. At the same time he participated in NASCAR races and won the prestigious Daytona 500. Andretti later competed in the World Sportscar Championship and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He made his Formula 1 debut in 1968 and became world champion in 1978, while being active in every branch of motorsport. He won his fourth IndyCar title in 1984 and won his class at Le Mans in 1995. It wasn’t until 2004 that Andretti finally hung up his helmet.

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Convince Verstappen

“Motorsport is a big family with its various racing classes,” Andretti said Zigo game In a preview of the Indy 500. “I was interested in everything, I wanted to drive everything. These days I would ask world champion Max Verstappen to go for the title in the 500.” Reporter Rick Winkelmann responded that Verstappen was not interested in Indy, but was interested in the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona. How then should Andretti persuade him? “I can convince him,” the Italian-born American replied firmly.