Marco Andretti to step back from full-time IndyCar racing, out of family’s shadow

Marco Andretti will not run the full IndyCar timetable this time as the third-technology driver reprioritizes his racing job.

Andretti will compete in the Indianapolis five hundred, the historic race his family has notoriously won just the moment, and aid Andretti Autosport with preseason tests and progress. He will be in a motor vehicle following week tests in Sebring, Florida.

Past that, his timetable is open up.

“Marco and I have discussed this at size. I aid and respect his conclusion to take a target on other locations of lifetime, and perhaps even other sorts of motorsport,” team operator Michael Andretti mentioned Friday of his son.

Andretti adopted his grandfather, father and cousins into IndyCar racing but has never observed the exact accomplishment as his famed family. Mario Andretti, his grandfather, ranks next on IndyCar’s all-time gain checklist with 52 victories which include the 1969 Indy five hundred. Michael Andretti won forty two races.

Marco Andretti has two job victories in 15 seasons, his past in 2011. The 33-12 months-old won the pole in August for the Indianapolis five hundred but he did not lead a lap and concluded 13th.

He was 20th in the remaining time standings, most affordable of all full-time IndyCar motorists.

“I assume for any multi-generational athlete, it can be definitely challenging to find your individual ground and make your individual title on best of your family’s,” Michael Andretti mentioned. “Marco has often experienced the bravery to chart his individual path and I’m proud of the job he’s developed for himself and the person he’s become. I know this conclusion was not effortless.”

The two father and son stressed Andretti is not retiring.

Marco Andretti mentioned he hoped to compete in athletics motor vehicle racing alongside his cousin, Jarett, and marquee gatherings these as the Rolex 24 at Daytona, 12 Several hours of Sebring and Le Mans.

“I absolutely am going to hold driving,” he mentioned. “I nevertheless have a deep passion for it and have unfinished company to take care of and some packing containers that I want to check out prior to I look at retiring as a driver.

“I continue to be very hungry to gain the Indy five hundred. It is our most important phase and the position that I experience I convey the most to the desk as a driver.”

Andretti as a rookie was handed when major on the remaining straight by winner Sam Hornish Jr. in his 2006 Indy five hundred debut. He concluded next that 12 months, his finest finish in 15 races. He was third in 2010 and 2014.