Journal: 8 Mario Andretti Quotes To Kick You Into Gear

8 Mario Andretti Quotes To Kick You Into Gear

By Petrolicious
November 21, 2015

To have succeeded and survived the crucible of racing across more than three decades—earning more than 100 wins in the process—puts Mario Andretti in a league with few peers. But out of the car, his atypical-for-a-racer upbringing in the U.S. as an Italian-American immigrant endowed Andretti with a strength of character that resounds to this day.

Also atypical for most racers: he could win in just about anything, for example becoming the USAC National Dirt Track Champion as well as the Formula 1 World Champion…with Pike’s Peak, Indianapolis 500, Daytona 500, Sebring, IROC, and many other successes sprinkled in for good measure.

Here are our favorite words of wisdom from Mario Andretti—and we should recommend following him on Twitter, if you haven’t yet.

“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”

“If you’re so afraid of failure, you will never succeed. You have to take chances.”

“Whenever you’re aggressive, you’re at the edge of mistakes”

“It is amazing how many drivers, even at the Formula One Level, think that the brakes are for slowing the car down.”

“A racing car is an animal with a thousand adjustments.”

“Unfortunately, we don’t educate drivers enough to be respectful on the road.”

“If you wait, all that happens is that you get older.”

“I see all these old people who don’t have anything to do but eat, drink and sleep. I will never say ‘retired’ because that’s such a finality that I don’t want to be part of my life. I’ll work until they throw me in a box.”

Image source: usatoday.comwikipedia.orgf1fanatic.co.ukuniversityofracing.com,
foxsports.com

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Pepipepi
Pepipepi
7 years ago

“No risk no fun”

Jeremy DeConcini
Jeremy DeConcini
8 years ago

Great stuff.

Miguel De Olaso Macgregor
Miguel De Olaso Macgregor
8 years ago

What are the brakes for then?

Lennart Groessl
Lennart Groessl
8 years ago

For transfering the weight. Its one of the most important things in racing 🙂

Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
9 years ago

Mario is awesome. My son chased him down at the Long Beach Grand Prix a couple of years ago, weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic on foot as Mario laughed while riding his scooter. He finally stopped to have some words with my son, age 8 at the time.
I’m not sure what they talked about in its entirety, but he signed my son’s racing cap (which he won in a karting tournament).

When he stopped, he was immediately recognized and swarmed by the masses. I (we) will always remember how considerate and thoughtful he was to take the time to chat. I’m sure he was thrilled that an 8 year old kid recognized him and chased him down, too. 😉

Class act through and through.

Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
9 years ago

We are also big fans of the Andretti/VW championship winning team in rally cross. I am sure my son will be knocking on the door looking for a job once he is of age and has a driver’s license. 😉

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
9 years ago

The one you missed and the best one of them all … especially for those of us of a ‘ certain age ‘ having the wisdom and discernment that should come with ‘ maturing ‘ [ but in all honestly seldom does ]

” Just because my key aren’t in the ignition and I’m no longer behind the wheel doesn’t mean I still don’t enjoy it ”

” Old Guys Rule ” ! 😉

Gonzalo
Gonzalo
9 years ago

the quote number 1, es the same that nº6 of sir stirling moss….

Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
9 years ago
Reply to  Gonzalo

That one goes around in many variations attributed to many a serious racer . My take on it when giving advice to someone contemplating racing is ;

” If you’re not willing to crash it .. you’re not willing or able to win “

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