IndyCar's Marco Andretti still interested in F1 move, eyes Haas
Marco Andretti remains open to the possibility of looking at Formula 1 in the future, although he insists that IndyCar is still his current focus
The imminent arrival of the Haas F1 team in 2016 has renewed attention on American drivers' chances of grand prix seats, and two-time IndyCar race-winner Andretti says he is still keen.
"It [F1] depends on a lot of the logistics, for sure," said the 28-year-old. "Formula 1 is still the cream of the crop to me.
"Having said that, it would be tough to leave [IndyCar] because I feel like I'm just coming into my own as a driver.
"I think it took a little too long, but I feel I'm in a good place. I feel like we can compete anywhere we roll off. That's a good feeling.
"Formula 1 would be like starting over. The expectations wouldn't be high, maybe, with that [Haas F1] team.
"If you can go beat your team-mate over there, that's what people look at.
"Yeah, I would definitely take a strong look at it."
Andretti, who goes into this weekend's IndyCar season finale at Sonoma seventh in the championship, tested a Honda F1 car at Jerez in late 2006, and returned for a two-day test at the same venue the following February (pictured below).
"The biggest difference for me was the braking, how quick the [F1] car stopped," the 28-year-old said.
"Seven gears from the straightaway to a hairpin, you barely have time to downshift.
"As quick as you can click the paddle, the car stops from almost 200mph. That definitely took its toll on my neck.
"Here, the brakes are good, but the cars are heavier. Those [F1 cars] are definitely more agile and have a lot more grip.
"I ran a day in the wet - the grip in the wet that those cars have was just so much fun.
"I actually had to train my brain that the thing would stick because of the amount of speed it lets you carry. It was so much fun.
"But my heart right now lies over here [in IndyCar]. Those cars are definitely fun, but this is what I've grown up doing."
Andretti's grandfather Mario won the 1978 F1 world championship with Lotus, while his father Michael contested most of the 1993 season as Ayrton Senna's team-mate at McLaren.
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