Grapevine: Andretti Drops Plan to Qualify for Indy 500

Former Formula One champion Mario Andretti has shelved plans to try to qualify a car for this year's Indianapolis 500 after admitting his terrifying practice accident showed him he would be stupid to drive again.

63-year old Andretti came out of retirement to drive for his son Michael's Andretti Green Racing team at Indianapolis this year, but flipped his car several times in a dramatic practice accident on Wednesday.

Andretti was aiming to qualify the car for the Indy 500, although he would then be replaced by an unnamed driver in the race. This is permitted under the unique rules of the event.

"I've given it some thought," he told BBC Online. "All of a sudden, I have to start using at least an ounce of wisdom. If I had an ongoing career I would have no problem getting back in the car.

"But I'm not trying to rekindle my career, and what happened on Wednesday maybe was a signal that I should pay attention to. Still, I'm very grateful to Michael and the Green team for giving me that opportunity."

Andretti senior was drafted into the team because their regular drivers are both injured, with Brazilian Tony Kanaan sidelined by a broken wrist and Scot Dario Franchitti out for three months with a back problem.