Mario: Zanardi is 'inspirational'

The 61-year old Andretti, who made his name in America with four Champ Car titles and 52 race wins in addition to winning the 1978 F1 World Championship, revealed his emotions in a conversation with reporters to discuss his new biography. (Mario Andretti: A Driving Passion, written by Autosport¹s American Editor Gordon Kirby).

"I got a dose of inspiration for the rest of my life just talking with him today" Andretti remarked. "If you want some inspiration of courage, I mean, a test - a really true test of character that we never want to undergo - this guy is a champion's champion. He is uplifting me on the other side. He sounded so incredibly strong, and positive."

Andretti was remarkably fortunate to escape serious injury in his 40-year career. He missed one Champ Car race due to injury in 1985 and another in 1992, though his most famous accident came in practice for the 1969 Indianapolis 500, which he went on to win.

But Andretti has also seen his share of misfortune, including the deaths of close friends Billy Foster, Lucien Bianchi and his 1978 Lotus team mate, Ronnie Peterson. Andretti was keen to get in touch with Zanardi to see if he could be of help in any way.

"I'm not surprised at his attitude, but at the same time, I figure, 'Oh my God, how can he be so up, how can he be so positive, how can he be talking about still looking forward to life?'" Andretti said. "Obviously, he has the strength of his family and his friends. But I think he has that inner strength that can only carry you through something like this.

"I cannot even imagine what he's going through," he added. "But at the same time, when we were talking, it was as if I'm the one that's down and he's the one that was picking me up. I'm not sure that I could ever do that, quite honestly, but it's a real inspiration there as to how some people really are strong. That's why he was the champion that he was."