Mario Andretti: He was born in 1940 in Italy. Mario Andretti has won races in Formula One, Indycar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR (the 2nd race car driver in history to do so). He’s the only person to be named driver of the decade in 3 different decades (1964, 1978 and 1984). Mario Andretti competed for the Lotus, March, Ferrari, Parnelli, Alfa Romeo & Williams teams when he was active in Formula One racing (from 1968 – 1972 and 1974 – 1982).

Here are a few quotes from him:

“Desire is the key to motivation, but it’s determination and commitment to an unrelenting pursuit of your goal – a commitment to excellence – that will enable you to attain the success you seek.”

“Do it no matter what. If you believe in it, it is something very honorable. If somebody around you or your family does not understand it, then that’s their problem. But if you do have a passion, an honest passion, just do it.”

“Everything comes to those who wait… except a cat.”

“If everything seems under control, you’re just not going fast enough.”

“I don’t think I could have called my career complete without racing in IROC. You always compete against the best of the best.”

Damon Hill: A famous race car driver, born in the United Kingdom in 1960. He was Michael Schumacher’s main rival when he was active in Formula One racing between 1992 and 1999. Damon Hill won the Formula One championship in 1996. He’s the only Formula One driver in history to repeat his father’s Formula One championship success. Damon Hill’s father, Graham Hill, won the Formula One title in 1962 and 1968. During his career Damon Hill won 22 Formula One Grand Prix races and drove for the Brabham, Williams, Arrows and Jordan teams.

Here are a few quotes from Damon Hill:

“I think at times I appear to be miserable when I am not… I might be having quite a good thought at that moment, but it seems I look miserable. I am not.”

“If I am pushed I will push back, that is the way I am. I am very British. We don’t like to be pushed around. When the chips are down we might have to step into grey areas.”

“If I am treated fairly, I like to do things in a fair manner. That is the way I have been all my career. I haven’t tried to do things in an underhanded way.”

“The British tend to shy away from the spotlight. We don’t like being singled out in any way, and I think that is something which is important for me to learn to do.”

“The sport would not survive today if drivers were being killed at the rate they were in the 1960s and ’70s. It would have been taken off the air. It is beamed into people’s living rooms on Sunday afternoons, with children watching.”

“There are a lot of factors in the life of an F1 driver which can combine to make you believe that you are somehow above normality. I think that is a mistake to start believing that. But, at the same time, it is important to be confident.”

“You should never feel comfortable. There is something wrong if you are. You should always feel under threat, on the edge of your seat and pushing yourself. Win one and you want to win more. It’s never-ending.”

Related Links:
Damon Hill – Formula One Hall of Fame
Mario Andretti – Grand Prix Hall of Fame