Who was that suited driver climbing out of the No. 35 Maserati MC12 on Thursday at Road America? It was none other than Star Mazda rookie standout Marco Andretti, grandson of the legendary Mario.

Marco Andretti and Maserati team officials at Road America - scene of this weekend's Generac 500, the seventh round of the 2005 American Le Mans Series - yesterday confirmed that the 18-year-old prodigy could be behind the wheel of a second MC12 - to be managed by Risi Competizione - that may compete in the Petit Le Mans next month, at Road Atlanta. Risi Competizione have a long and distinguished record of racing Ferrari sportscars in the USA, and this year they are providing logistical and strategic support to the inaugural ALMS campaign by Maserati Reparto Corse.

On Thursday, Marco Andretti visited the Maserati Reparto Corse paddock area for a seat fitting in the MC12 incase the GT1 ride does comes off. If Andretti  is given a seat in the Maserati though, he said he wouldn't be testing until the week of the race.

MARCO ANDRETTI - THE FAMILY LEGEND CONTINUES

The grandson of racing legend Mario Andretti and son of CART champion and 2004 IRL IndyCar Series championship winning team owner Michael Andretti, Marco Andretti has continued the Andretti family winning tradition. In his young race car driving career, Marco has claimed the 2004 Skip Barber National Championship, the 2004 Formula TR Championship, the 2004 Skip Barber Formula Dodge Southern Series Championship and the 2003 Skip Barber Formula Dodge Eastern Series Championship. Marco has also scored multiple karting wins and championships.

Risi Competizione

Risi Competizione is a professional racing team organized and managed by Giuseppe Risi, the owner and dealer principal of Ferrari Maserati of Houston, and previously the owner of Ferrari Maserati of Dallas.
 

One of the world’s top teams in sports car and endurance racing, Risi Competizione has recently raced its own Ferrari 360GT in the ALMS GT2 class. The team has had superb results running the Ferrari 333SP, winning it’s class at Le Mans, overall winner of the Petite Le Mans, and World Sports Car champion. This year Risi Competizione is strategically and logistically supporting Maserati Reparto Corse who are running the Maserati MC12 in the ALMS series for the first time.

Risi Competizione are based at the Ferrari of Houston dealership - who will in fact next week will host the Pininfarina and Motorola-created Maserati Birdcage 75th concept supercar - also provide technical, racing, and logistical support for select clients who are taking part in the  Ferrari Challenge; and the Ferrari of Houston (and Ferrari of Dallas) team have produced more Championship Challenge drivers’ than any other team in North America. At the end of the Challenge Season, Drivers are invited to the World Championships which are staged in Italy at one of the famous Italian tracks.

In 2002, a Risi managed and prepared team consisting of two Lola-Nissans, completed a perfect season, winning the SRPII Grand American championship with 10 wins, 10 poles, and 10 fastest laps. The team also won its class at the 24 Hours of Daytona and was placed third overall. Risi Competizione’s 360GT was on the podium for every race it entered in 2002 and won the IMSA trophy for the best private team in ALMS. It kicked off the next year with second overall at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona.

MARCO ANDRETTI - CAREER

2005 - Competing Star Mazda Series; Competing in select Indy Racing League Infiniti Pro Series events; 2004 - Captured Skip Barber National Series championship; Captured Skip Barber's Formula Dodge Southern Series Championship; Captured Formula TR Series championship; 2003 (first year in cars) - Captured Skip Barber's Formula Dodge Eastern Series Championship; 8 First Place finishes: Virginia 4/26/2003; Lime Rock 5/16/2003; Lime Rock 5/17/2003; Mont Tremblant 8/3/2003; Lime Rock 8/15/2003; Lime Rock 8/16/2003; Road America 9/14/2003; Lime Rock Park 10/3/2003; Skip Barber's Formula Dodge Eastern Series "Rookie of the Year"; Set Track Records at Virginia International Raceway; Lime Rock Park, CT ; Moroso Motorsports Park, FL ; & Road Atlanta; 2002 (first year in karting nationally) - Won Stars of Tomorrow National Championship for Oakland Valley; Backwards Series Co-Champion for Oakland Valley; Captured 1st and 2nd for Junior Regional Super Nationals Oakland Valley; Secured five World Karting Association Podiums and two fast laps; Had a Stars of Tomorrow National Win in Nevada; 2001 (Oakland Valley) - Backward Series Champion ; Track Champion; Back to School Series Co-Champion; 2000 (Oakland Valley) - Track Champion; Pro Shifter Series Champion; Back to School Series Champion; 1999 - First Race in Oakland Valley Race Park; Challenge Series Win; 1997 - First Kart Race (Flemmington , New Jersey) – 2nd Place - Two Wins and Six Podium Finishes – Flemmington