Marco Andretti Futility Thread

[Cass]

Rather dissapointed with Marco-mania this year. As of the I500, Marco's inability to finish a race rests at 80% of the season. Two crashes, two "handling" issues do rest well for his future! 4 out of 5 he hasn't seen the checkered flag - well, he did, from the pitlane or paddock.....that doesn't count. I now put forth the idea that he from this day on be known as "Parco Andretti" the best of the family at parking cars at the track.

I seriously doubt his talent, commitment, and ability at this point. At Indy, TK had to set up his and Danica's cars - if you're a prospective team owner - would you hire someone who doesn't have the technical knowledge to set a car up, or communicate what it is or isn't doing - certainly anyone who thinks he will get anything more than a Honda "luv-fest" test spin in F1 must be kidding themselves. The Indy crash has so many questions that can be asked, what was his team doing, the spotters? Were they telling him that Wheldon was there - yes or no? If yes, why didn't Marco listen to them - did he "know" better? He kept pulling right, right, right - was it not enough tire stagger for him to stay left?

AGR would be best served by putting Marco in any race cars during the off weekends so he can get experience. He needs it! Buy him rides in Star Mazda so he can learn the race-craft he so desperately needs - try FF2000 as well...sports cars, anything.....if no IRL race this week he should be running somewhere! I am hard on Danica but she is at least proving to be better qualified than Marco - she finishes and usually does a decent job at set-up (barring Indy & thanks TK). I think AGR really needs to review themselves with some tough scrutiny, perhaps they are best to cut him loose, but, with Mikey Warbucks running the show (thanks dad!) I doubt we'll ever see Marco out of the car, or a ride!

And now, with Milwaukee coming up, a drivers oval, no banking and requirements for balance and braking all needed will we see anything better this weekend? Will TK be summoned to do the set-up once again - if we do I should hope the rose-colored glasses come off about this kid. Does he hit the wall - outside or in or does he "Parco" it again saying he was scared of the car.

Just goes to show that 19 or 20 or 21 here has nothing compared to 19 or 20 or 21 overseas - the experience level in Europe, or South America just dumps on this today!

[CCFanatic]

He was not evwen ready last year, let alone this year. He should be in CCAtlantics or Indy Pro Series. And if he really wants to race F1, he should tell his father to back off and let him go race GP2 or World Series by Renault.

[beachbum]

Wow. I guess you aren't buying Marco t-shirts any time soon. On the other hand, his year has been very disappointing. If he was anyone other than an Andretti, he likely would have gotten his walking papers by now. He seems almost lost out there, which is frightening.

[Wilf]

He was not evwen ready last year, let alone this year. He should be in CCAtlantics or Indy Pro Series. And if he really wants to race F1, he should tell his father to back off and let him go race GP2 or World Series by Renault.

I wonder, what series do you want him to get more experience in that will help him. He has shown himself well on the road/street courses as well as on the flat ovals. Where he needs to improve are on the banked ovals; where do you get that experience in an open wheel car? Look for a top 10 this weekend with a top 5 possible on the flat Milwaukee Mile. He looked good there last year.
He needs time to develop a feel for a car on the high banks.

[Alexamateo]

Marco ran really strong at Indy (kinda like Danica, Indy appears to be his track.) He is inconsistent, but let the guy develop. One thing though "Parco" Andretti is a lol funny name, I don't care who ya are.

[ChicagocrewIRL]

I'm willing to cut him some slack until I know whether it was Marco or his spotter who screwed up.

Well apparently Marco was running without a right side rear view mirror. So he and his spotter should have even been more diligent in their communication in traffic.

[DBell]

I wonder, what series do you want him to get more experience in that will help him. He has shown himself well on the road/street courses as well as on the flat ovals. Where he needs to improve are on the banked ovals; where do you get that experience in an open wheel car? Look for a top 10 this weekend with a top 5 possible on the flat Milwaukee Mile. He looked good there last year.
He needs time to develop a feel for a car on the high banks.

If his goal is to make his career as a IRL driver, then he's in the right place.
If his goal is F1, then he should be over in Europe in GP2, learning the tracks, people, and the racing culture there. The IRL doesn't prepare him for that.

[V12]

To be fair he's still young in the grand scheme of things, I'm not either a fan, or a detractor, of Marco to be honest. But it's not that long since another AGR #26 finished upside down at Indy, with a few people saying he was too wild and inexperienced on the ovals. Now that car's driver is an Indy 500 winner, IRL champion and multiple race winner...

[Easy Drifter]

Both Dad and Grandpaw were great drivers but both were known for pulling some real boneheaded moves. It seems Parco (good name) may have inherited that trait.
It is early to be sure but it does appear he is lacking in the ability to set a car up. It could also be a problem with his engineer. A change of engineers might be order. I do think he could have used some more experience in a lower formula.
If he really wants to do F1 he needs to get over there NOW. A1GP wouldn't be a bad idea either.

[skibum]

What racing has Marco done? I remember his Dad racing either FF or FF2000 with SCCA.