Andretti closes in on Indy 500 seat

The American, who left Newman/Haas Racing partly because it wouldn't let him race at Indy, is chasing a drive in his homeland's blue riband single-seater race, and new sponsor Motorola is believed to support his quest to win the event. His new CART outfit, Team Green, had considered running Andretti itself at Indy but decided not to dilute its Champ Car effort, which has already expanded to three cars for 2001.

A Team Green spokeswoman said Andretti would have to gain permission first: "Right now, Michael is not going to Indy with anybody. Everyone knows Michael wants to go back there but we'd have to talk to our partners [to agree a release for the race]."

Andretti has been tipped to team up with Panther Racing, whose team owner John Barnes said: "I'm not saying there isn't an opportunity, but to say we're talking about a deal is a bold-faced lie."

Andretti's Champ Car colleague Mauricio Gugelmin has agreed to join a satellite team of top team Treadway-Hubbard Racing to race alongside double event winner Arie Luyendyk, who has come out of retirement for the race.