Just over a week after the shock announcement that he would be relinquishing his ownership duties at Andretti Global as part of a major restructuring of the American motorsport organization’s management, Michael Andretti released an emotional open letter explaining the factors that had influenced his decision to hand over control to business partner and Andretti Global co-owner Dan Towriss and instead settle into an advisory and ambassadorial role with the organisation with which he has been associated since 2002.
In the letter published on Andretti Global’s website, Andretti, son of four-time USAC/CART champion and 1978 F1 World Drivers’ Championship winner Mario Andretti, spoke about the role that motorsport had played in his life. Andretti, who himself won the 1991 CART Championship, described himself as a born racer who, inspired by his father’s success, had “stopped at nothing to find success” in the world of motorsport. He stated that his passion for motorsport had encouraged him to contribute to his family’s legacy within the sport.
“I was born a racer. From an early age, I didn’t know anything different than life in the fast lane. Being a “son of” – be it a proud one – came with a high bar and, once I pressed the gas, I never looked back. I stopped at nothing to find success. I drove for the passion and love of the sport, but I won for the fear of losing. My father’s childhood dream became my destiny and together, we built a legacy and a family business.”
Andretti continued by explaining his decision to become more involved in the operational aspect of motorsport at the tail end of his on-track career. In 2002, Andretti purchased a majority stake in Team Green, (formerly known as Forsythe/Green Racing), a CART Indy Car World Series team under the control of founder Barry Green and his brother Kim Green. In 2003, he subsequently switched the newly renamed Andretti Green Racing to the rival Indy Racing League (now the NTT IndyCar Series), following the emergence of major issues which ultimately saw CART be dissolved after the 2003 season. This decision, he revealed, had been inspired by his desire to create a space that would inspire and encourage the development of future drivers.
“When my driving days slowed, I set my sights on creating a space that would inspire future drivers to go faster than I had.”
He stated that he believed that he and his “very qualified and passionate” team had accomplished his initial objective and while he admitted that his team had faced “the lowest of lows”, he highlighted the many successes – five victories at the Indianapolis 500 in 2005, 2007, 2014, 2016 and 2017, four IndyCar Series championships in 2004, 2005, 2007 and 2017, and five championship titles in development series Indy Lights (currently known as Indy NXT) in 2008, 2009, 2018, 2019 and 2021 – that the team has enjoyed over the more than two decades of its association with Andretti.
“I believe that, together with the help of many very qualified and passionate team members, I have been able to do just that. For the past two decades, our team has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows.”
Andretti added that the team had grown to become a powerhouse in motorsport and stated that they had been proudly represented by “some of the best talent in racing”.
“We’ve grown on a global level that I believe is still untouched in motorsport and we’ve seen some of the best talent in racing proudly wear the Andretti badge.”
He continued by expressing his pride in the organisation that Andretti Global had become and claimed that many of his best memories had come from his time leading the organisation. However, he also acknowledged that his involvement with the organisation had come with significant sacrifices in his personal life and stated that it was after a lengthy and thorough consideration of these sacrifices and their impact on him and various aspects of his personal life that he had decided “to pass the baton” to Towriss who, he described as a “friend”.
“Many of my best memories have come at the wheel of this organization, and I am so proud of what we have built. But decades of running flat out doesn’t come without sacrifice and, after much thought and reflection over the past several months, I came to the decision to take a step back. I’ve had a day-to-day operational role since even before I stepped out of the race car, and it’s time now to pass the baton to my partner and friend, Dan Towriss.”
While Andretti acknowledged that his decision had come as a “shock” to many fans and even to members of his extended family, he reiterated that the decision had been made for himself, his family and the team.
He had hoped to bring Andretti to the F1 grid — but those plans got dashed as the bid was ultimately rejected. The FIA had initially given the green light.
“As I make this decision for myself, my family and this team, I know this is somewhat of a shock to many, especially you, the fans, my extended family.”
He also thanked “the generations of Andretti fans”, who he described as “the best in the business” for their continued support throughout his career, and stated that he was “honored” to have been considered “a fan favorite, a role model and a friend”
“For many of you, you’ve watched me grow up, or you’ve grown up right alongside of me, and no matter what moves we’ve made as a team, you’ve stuck by our side at every turn. It is not lost on me that the generations of Andretti fans are the best in the business. I’m honored to be considered a fan favorite, a role model and a friend. And I thank you for a lifetime of support and, in some cases, your brutal honesty. “
Despite confirming his step away from the leadership of Andretti Global, Andretti assured supporters of the team that he, as stated in a release by Andretti Global on September 27, 2024, would be continuing with the team as an advisor. While he acknowledged that this would reduce his public presence at races, he stated that he would “be available to help” the team wherever he couldpossible. He also expressed his hope that fans of the team and his family would continue to their support “with the same enthusiasm and loyalty” that they had shown throughout the years.
“But I am not going away – I will be serving as an advisor for the team and will be available to help wherever I can. While you might see me less at the racetrack, know that my passion for the sport and my support for our team, and its people, will remain unwavering.”
“My hope is that you, as Andretti fans, will keep supporting our team with the same enthusiasm and loyalty that you’ve so graciously shown myself and my family over the years.”
The 62-year-old insisted that his move away from the leadership of Andretti Global was “just the turning of the page” rather than “a goodbye” and stated that he was excited to have the opportunity to spend more time with his family and to explore new personal and business interests.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to spend more time with my beautiful family, including my 10-year-old twins, embrace my new Nonno title and explore new things on a personal level and with my other businesses. So, this isn’t a goodbye. It is just the turning of the page.”
