Formula 1’s latest venue in Miami, is tipping its hat to the sport’s illustrious history by appointing three legends of motorsport – Mario Andretti, Emerson Fittipaldi and Juan Pablo Montoya – as ambassadors for the race.
What the trio have in common is their careers saw them race in Formula 1 and Indycar/Champcar over the years
Racing legends unveiled as Ambassadors for the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, Andretti the only driver to ever win Daytona 500, Indy 500 and F1 World Championship; Fittipaldi double winner of both the Indianapolis 500 and F1 world title; Montoya Indycar Champion, Indy 500 and multiple F1 Grand Prix winner.
Miami Grand Prix organisers reported that the three pre-eminent drivers have enjoyed enormous success spanning many decades in the sport and will be supporting race promoter South Florida Motorsports during the inaugural race in the city where they will appear in a range of exciting events across the Campus during race week and weekend from 6-8 May.
Protests by a minority of residents led to court action which appears to have been unsuccessful in its bid to stop the race from happening citing a range of reasons from the environment to trauma caused to elderly residents. But this came to nought.
In a press release, Miami Grand Prix boss Richard Cregan stated: “It will be a great pleasure to have the opportunity to work with these greats. When you consider what they have all achieved and the status they enjoy in the history of motorsport, then you can understand why they are referred to as legends.
“For me personally, it is an honour to be working together with Mario, Emerson and Juan Pablo for the up-coming Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix.”
Andretti: It’s an absolute honour to be an ambassador for the Miami GP
As one of the most famous names in the history of motorsport, Mario Andretti can truly be described as a living legend. Andretti was born in Italy and didn’t emigrate to the United States until he was fifteen.
At 19, he began racing stock cars in Pennsylvania and that was the start of an illustrious career in which the versatile driver competed and won in every discipline he entered: midgets, sprint cars, dirt track cars, stock cars, IndyCars, Formula 1, Formula 5000 and sportscars.
Andretti took the checkered flag 111 times during a career that stretched five decades and across six continents.
He won the Daytona 500, the Indianapolis 500 and in 1978 he achieved his ultimate goal: the FIA Formula 1 World Championship. No other race car driver has ever won all three titles. His Formula 1 career spanned 128 races where he scored 12 wins and 18 poles.
“It’s an absolute honour for me to be one of the Ambassadors of the inaugural Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix,” said Andretti.
“Although I achieved victories at Daytona, Indianapolis and in IndyCar, I was very proud of the success I achieved in Formula 1 — winning the world title with Lotus and scoring a podium with Ferrari at the Italian Grand Prix. I still love the sport of F1 and can’t wait for the racing to begin on this fabulous circuit built in the Campus next to the Hard Rock Stadium.”
Fittipaldi: A huge privilege to be associated with this brand new F1 race in a place I call home
With a long and distinguished career, Brazilian racer Emerson Fittipaldi has twice won the Formula 1 World Championship, twice the Indianapolis 500 and also won the IndyCar Title.
When he won his first world title with Lotus in 1972 at the age of 25, Fittipaldi became the sport’s youngest-ever champion — a record which he held for over 30 years.
After he switched to McLaren in 1974, he clinched his second title, before making the swap to IndyCars in the mid-1980s. ‘Emmo’ won the Indy 500 and the IndyCar title in 1989, and again the Indy 500 in 1993. To honor his success, the city of Miami decided to name a street after their famous resident.
“As somebody who has spent decades living and working in Miami, for many years I’ve thought how wonderful it would be for this great city to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix and now, thanks to all the efforts of the team at South Florida Motorsports, we have this amazing 19-turn circuit that raises the standards for all future Formula 1 events.
“I’ve absolutely no doubt the drivers, teams, media, fans and VIP guests will love the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix and this race will become an annual highlight on the Formula 1 calendar,” added Fittipaldi.
Montoya: The Miami Grand Prix will be a truly unforgettable experience
The appetite for racing shines as brightly today as it did in Juan Pablo’s early career. Despite turning 46 last September, the Colombian racer continues to compete in the IMSA sportscar championship. Montoya won the IndyCar title on his debut in 1999 and added an Indianapolis 500 victory to his achievements the following year.
His successes in the USA led to a switch to Formula 1 and he drove for Williams for four years before swapping to McLaren in 2005. The Colombian began a full-time NASCAR stint in 2007, driving for Chip Ganassi Racing. Seven years later he was back in IndyCar and achieved a memorable second win at the Indy 500 in 2015.
In his racing today, Montoya is still hugely supported by the Hispanic community and is helping his son Sebastian continue the dynasty with his own burgeoning motorsport career.
Montoya said in the official press release: “Having lived in this part of the world for a long time, I’m very excited that we will be able to showcase all that Miami and South Florida has to offer. This is a great place for music, food and sports and everyone who comes to this race will understand why it’s such a special city.
“It’s an attractive place, so equally for Formula 1 to come here and bring the glamour, technology and exciting racing will mean the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix will be a truly unforgettable experience,” Montoya predicted.
Who’s excited to visit the 305?! ?♂️?♀️
? days to go, Miami we’re coming for you! ?#F1 #MiamiGP @f1miami pic.twitter.com/FGx0c4IZIX
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 28, 2022