Formula One: Marco Andretti Could Drive for Honda

Marco Andretti will on Friday become the third generation of the United States's most famous motor racing dynasty to make a formula one debut when he tests a Honda RA106 at Jérez prompting speculation that the grandson of the 1978 world champion, Mario, has his eyes firmly set on a grand prix racing future.

The 19-year-old, whose father Michael partnered the late Ayrton Senna in the 1993 McLaren team line-up, hit the headlines this year in his debut season in the US-based Indycar Series by almost winning the Indianapolis 500.

Driving for his father's Andretti Green team, Marco led out of the final corner only to be overtaken in the final few yards by Sam Hornish Jr. Although the youngest Andretti is contracted to Indycar for the next couple of years, his grandfather is anxious that he should commit to racing in Europe as soon as possible as he believes he has all the potential to make it in formula one.

"He is a quick learner and never makes the same mistake twice," he said. "I think he has all the qualities to make it in formula one." It also goes without saying that having a high-profile American driver competing in formula one would boost the sport's commercial credibility in the US, where it has struggled to maintain a consistent presence.

"I am thrilled that Honda has offered me this incredible opportunity," said Andretti. "2006 was a fantastic inaugural year for me in the IRL [IndyCar] and I look forward to fighting for the championship next season. However, as you would expect of any racing driver, when Honda offered me the chance to drive [the formula one car], I grabbed it with both hands. I can only imagine what an awesome experience this is going to be and I'm just going to enjoy every moment."

Gil de Ferran, sporting director of the Honda Racing F1 Team said: "We are delighted to have Marco join us in Jérez next week. Marco has had an outstanding first season in the Indycar Series, making a big impact at such a young age. As part of the extended Honda Racing family, it will be a great pleasure for us to give him the chance of his first experience of formula one."

Michael Andretti is also certain that his son, who finished a couple of lengths ahead of him in the Indy 500, has the potential to become a really great driver. "He's way beyond where I was at 19," he said. "I think the thing he has that I didn't have and his grandfather didn't have is patience."