Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see one of your old favorites race once more today? Mario Andretti fans had that desire answered for them this weekend. The 82-year-old jumped back into a fairly modern-day F1 car courtesy of McLaren at the Laguna Seca Raceway, California.

Mario Andretti is a champion and has won races in Formula One, IndyCar, the World Sportscar Championship, and NASCAR, making him the most successful driver in America. But this is his first time in a car as recent as 2013.

Mario Andretti drives a Modern McLaren car at Second Velocity Invitational

The former F1 champion had been joking about getting back into a modern car for a long time now. He had first expressed the desire two years ago at Goodwood to the McLaren boss. Since then, it had become a running joke between the two. That is until Zak Brown made Andretti’s wish come true.

“My bucket list is pretty much satisfied,” Andretti told RACER after driving the McLaren MP4/28. “Anything that we do after this will be icing on the cake.”

“It’s sweet but obviously I left a lot on the table. It’s all about getting the proper gearing and some of the problem for me was the way my helmet was vis-á-vis my steering wheel. I couldn’t see the numbers on my downshift. In some corners, I got it right and in others I didn’t.” said Andretti.

“In general, though, it is what I expected. It’s a sweet feeling as a driver, so satisfying. The car just does what it should do.” 

READ MORE: After $200 Million Step Toward F1, Andretti Reveals Daring Plan of Action

It is a pretty special thing to be able to get back to the thing you loved at any age. But to do it at 82 with the finesse and easy skill Andretti did is even more impressive. No wonder the former champion is on top of cloud nine about the experience.

In what other ways can Andretti return to F1?

Andretti is one of the most legendary names in the motorsports universe. Mario is one of the only two men to have won races in NASCAR, IndyCar, F1 as well as the World Sportscar Championship. And the man has been itching to get back onto the racetrack in one form or another.

Will Buxton, an F1 journalist, recently tweeted about an interaction that took place in 2013. As it turns out, McLaren was not the only car Andretti had been excited to drive.

“Back in 2013, I compered a chat between Mario, Seb and Christian Horner for NBC. Mario arrived first and wasting no time leapt into the Red Bull in the studio. “I’d love to drive a modern car one day.” So glad @ZBrownCEO made a legend’s dream come true.” writes Buxton in his Twitter thread.

While his dream of driving a modern-day engine was fulfilled, Andretti has also been trying to get into F1 in another form. Mario Andretti and his son, Michael, have been making efforts to enter the F1 grid as the 11th team. However, they have been met with a frosty reception.

Recently, Andretti announced that despite setbacks, their team is preparing as if they have been given the go-ahead.

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“We’re working every single day on this project, with the intention to be on the grid in 2024,” said Andretti in a PlanetF1 exclusive interview.