Bring Back V10s - Classic F1 stories

S6 E1: Michael Andretti's 1993 McLaren F1 nightmare

07.14.2022 - By The Race Media LtdPlay

Download our free app to listen on your phone

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Bring Back V10s returns for series 6 with the story of Michael Andretti's terrible 1993 F1 season with McLaren. Veteran journalist and author David Tremayne - who covered Andretti's campaign first hand - joins Glenn Freeman and Edd Straw to revisit why a partnership between two of the most famous names in racing went so badly wrong.

Over the course of the episode we revisit how McLaren ended up signing Andretti, the doubts he had before he joined, how different his first season could have been with Honda or Renault power, his compromised pre-season, the strange free practice rule that hampered him all year, his biggest on-track regret of the campaign, growing tension with McLaren boss Ron Dennis, and some wild theories Andretti has about why things went so badly for him in F1.

We also hear exclusively from Mario Andretti, Michael's father, who gives his thoughts on why it didn't work out in 1993, and what he thinks Michael could have done better or differently to improve his situation and stick around for another crack at it in 1994.

READ MORE: 'Andretti's spectacular failure' - classic Sports Illustrated article

ASK US ANYTHING: Submit your questions for our series finale using #BringBackV10s on Twitter or email [email protected]

More episodes from Bring Back V10s - Classic F1 stories