AUSTIN, Texas — Circuit of The Americas will dedicate turn 20 to Italian-born, American racing legend and former COTA ambassador, Mario Andretti.
Renowned as perhaps the most versatile racer of all time, Andretti is one of only two drivers to have won races in Formula 1, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR.
In addition to his many accolades and achievements, he also drove the first ever lap of COTA when it opened in 2012. Andretti will therefore be rightfully memorialized at the track that hosts the Formula 1 Aramco United States Grand Prix, as well as the NASCAR EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.
Andretti took the checkered flag 111 times during his career – a career that stretched five decades. He was named Driver of the Year in three different decades (the 60s, 70s, 80s), Driver of the Quarter Century (in the 90s) and the Associated Press named him Driver of the Century in January 2000.
Turn 20 – which will be renamed ‘The Andretti’ – is the last turn of the 3.41-mile track in Austin, Texas. With views down the main straight, the start and finish line, and up into the famed hill of turn one, ‘The Andretti’ is a sharp, technical maneuver into an avenue of speed.
‘The Andretti’ naming ceremony will take place on Thursday, October 20 at Circuit of the Americas on the eve of the 10th Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.