Mario Andretti

Lore & Background

Mario Andretti's connection to Sebring is defined by his three victories in the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race known for being even harder on machinery and drivers than the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The track's surface, a mix of 3.04 miles of asphalt and 0.7 miles of concrete, includes old sections of World War II-era landing fields with large seams that can cause sparks to fly from the undercarriages of cars. Andretti himself noted that one of the hardest parts about the original Sebring track was 'finding the track to begin with,' as it was poorly marked with white lines and cones, leading to drivers getting lost even during the day. This demanding environment made his victories a true test of skill and endurance.

In Their Own Story

The engine roars with mechanical fury beneath the cockpit as the green flag drops on a sun-drenched oval. Dust kicks up from the tires, smelling of rubber and oil in the crisp morning air. You grip the wheel, feeling every vibration travel through your hands, mimicking the raw feedback of the 1970s era. The grandstands blur into a wash of color as speed builds, the straightaway stretching out like an invitation to greatness.

Reader's Guide

Mario Andretti is a 3-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring, a race that has been a major international event since its first running on March 15, 1952. The race is part of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and is the second of four races in the Michelin Endurance Cup. The track itself is a 3.741-mile, seventeen-turn road course with long straights and very technical slower corners. Due to Florida's flat nature, there is very little elevation change, and the track is renowned for its rough, bumpy, and changing surfaces. Andretti's success at Sebring places him among the legends of a race that is seen as an ideal preparation run for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Did You Know?

• Mario Andretti is a 3-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring.
• The 12 Hours of Sebring is renowned as a race that is even harder on machinery and drivers than Le Mans.
• The Sebring track surface has 3.04 miles of asphalt and 0.7 miles of concrete.
• The track still runs on old sections of World War II-era landing fields made of concrete sections with large seams.
• Mario Andretti said that one of the hardest parts about the original Sebring track was 'finding the track to begin with.'