‘F1 is back to stay in US’: Mario Andretti relives the American dream

Mario Andretti is revelling in the return of F1 to the US. ‘It will be awesome, there is something beautiful about it,’ he says. Photograph: Greg Doherty/Getty Images

The enthusiasm and passion is expected but oh, what a joy it is to share in the manifest pleasure of Formula One that still courses through Mario Andretti. He may be 82 but there is youthful ebullience radiating from the revered American driver before Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.

After he had some heartbreaking personal losses in recent years, F1 at least really feels like it is coming home for the world champion who fell in love with the sport as a teenager. In the past four years Andretti has endured the deaths of some of his closest loved ones but has refused to be cowed.