Andretti still prefers F1 over Formula E

Oct.23 - Motor racing legend Mario Andretti says he still prefers F1 over the pinnacle of motor racing's most modern of alternatives.

Today, his son Michael - who also raced in F1 - runs a Formula E team, but 76-year-old Mario says he is no fan of the all-electric single seater series.

"Frankly it does not interest me," he told the Austrian newspaper Kurier.

"There is something about it that doesn't feel right. I hope it's not the future of motor sports," Andretti said.

Indeed, while many figures criticise today's F1, Andretti is still a fan.

But one critic is Luca Filippi, once a Honda test driver with a big touted future who now races in Indycar.

When asked about F1, the Italian told La Repubblica newspaper: "No, I have no regrets.

"Now that I am in America, I understand why they never appreciated formula one: too complicated rules, little public contact with the drivers, and too expensive tickets.

"And then the time zone and the fact that there is one race (in the US) only."

But Andretti, whose son Michael is also still involved in Indycar, says he is still fully engaged with F1.

"It's fun to watch the races," he said. "Otherwise, I wouldn't get up every time in the middle of the night to watch.

"I think we are witnessing one of the best generations of driver in the history of F1."

However, Andretti does wonder if F1 is heading in the right direction for 2017, with its downforce boost and bigger Pirelli slicks.

"I believe it's the wrong way," he said.

"More downforce and grip allows higher cornering speed, but if you are faster in a corner, you're more difficult to overtake. So I'm not sure why they're doing that and I doubt a single driver thinks it's a good idea."

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