Taking the checkered flag after 1000 kilometers at Monza in the 1974 season opener, Mario led an Autodelta sweep of the podium positions.
Photo: Ed McDonough
Mario Andretti
I had three different seasons in Alfa Romeo sports cars. People remember that I drove for them in Grand Prix races but they often don’t recall that I did my time in the Tipo 33 sports cars.
The start was at Daytona with the 2-liter car in 1968. That was the first time I had driven something with such a small engine, which was underpowered, but it was an experience in itself to be part of that team with such a long tradition. We had no chance of winning overall, though I did eventually get a win at Monza in 1974—that was with Art Merzario. I think I had put that car on pole against the Matras, which was quite a feat. That was the 12-cylinder car with the tubular chassis. Nobody expected that we could go faster than the Matras, and it was very satisfying. It was part of the Alfa tradition. If you could win with any of their cars, you have that experience forever.
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