Mario in 1978 at Zandvoort.
Review by Pete Vack
All photos by Bernard Asset from the book
Bernard Asset has a huge file of photos and is making use of them by creating interesting books, combining his (and others) photos with often even more enlightening comments on the subject from friends, photographers, mechanics, PR folks, drivers and historians. Asset already has similar volumes on Michael Schumacher, Aryton Senna, and Jacques Laffite, and all four can be ordered as a collection. The Andretti volume, entitled Mario Andretti by Bernard Asset, is the first one we have seen and read.
It is by no means a biography, but an inside look at a great champion. Though brief, we gained a new perspective and insights into what Mario Andretti is like. With surprising depth, Andretti comes to life in this telling book, consisting primarily of short notes to Mario by his friends, fellow drivers and business associates which accompany the superb Asset photography.
Our two Champs. Mario with Phil Hill, its prior Long Beach GP 1979 in Phil Hill Santa Monica workshop.
I was privileged to watch Andretti at Road America and Watkins Glen, appreciating the fact that he would be one of only two American World Champions. We often ignored the fact that Mario was born and raised in Italy, as we put our paw on him and claiming him “Mine.” Several drivers reminded us that Andretti didn’t immigrate until the age of fourteen – in other words his formative years were spent in Italy, a full time fan of Alberto Ascari and Luigi Villoresi. Of course, we knew that and it is now easier to see how, as a person of two worlds, he was able to transverse and understand the world of both Formula One and Indycar racing. “Although Mario had an American passport, he remained Italian at heart, having left Italy as a teenager.” writes Bruno Giacomelli.
Driving for Ferrari, a life long goal. Las Vegas, 1982 with the 126C2.
Mario was one of the last drivers…and according to many, the best…to be able to race and win in a variety of cars, from Indy to F1 and everything in between. As Jacky Ickx writes in the book, “Like Derek Bell and I, you are a survivor of a generation where race drivers were free to do as they pleased. Free to drive Nascar, midget cars, sprint cars, Indy cars, dragsters, Formula 1 and endurance cars with both success…and panache!” Andretti did this better than anyone else, before or after and forever.
Obtaining that kind of success requires a unique personality. Dan Gurney, writing in Gordon Kirby’s book about Mario entitled A Driving Passion (a full autobiography written in 2001), had a quote which was also used in Asset’s book, and portrayed another side of Andretti. “…a tough hombre extremely talented with a blinding passion and fierce determination, laced with a great deal of idealism and romanticism.”
Kenny Szymanski, tire technician, noted that “He does not suffer fools gladly and if you’re on his car, be prepared to give 100% and know that he recognizes your effort.”
Another thing that comes across very strongly is his welcoming personality and the number of people willing to claim him as a friend.
Las Vegas, driving the Alfa Romeo 179 D in 1981. Next to Mario in the Alfa is engineer Gérard Ducarouge.
“What Mario’s accomplished as a race driver, as a businessman, as a motorsports ambassador, as a brother, a husband, a father and a friend….he left nothing in the tank. He has given every ounce of himself to racing and to life.” – Patty Reid, PR person
“We are friends in the fullest sense of the word, close at heart even when far from sight.” – Mauro Forghieri
“As a Dad, he gave us so much guidance, but also gave us space to breathe.” – Michael Andretti
Such brief quotes, so much between the lines.
Included in a pocket on the inside cover is a superb 5.75 by 8.25 inch glossy, numbered print of Mario, eminently frameable, but might be kept with the book as it is part of the overall artistic package, well done by publisher Red Runner in France.
What surprised this reviewer about Asset’s book is that it is not just great photography – that was to be expected – but it presented many sides of Andretti in depth without a great deal of text. Asset chose the right people to interview and the right words to reveal to us a Mario Andretti most of us are not familiar with. We are looking forward to seeing more of the Asset collection.
Mario Andretti by Bernard Asset
RedRunner Publishing, France
144 pages book, English and French language
120 Euros
Printing in quadri HR UV tram 240
Size : 24 x 22 cm
Reinforced cover finish carton 30/10th
Paper Symbol matt 170 g/m², coated shiny lamination
Hardcover: Stitched booklets
Protecting sleeve
Numbered metallic sticker
Numbered picture print by Bernard Asset