Mario Andretti dans Cars : la légende de la course en caméo

Mario Andretti in Cars: The Racing Legend in a Cameo Appearance

1025 words | Reading time: 6 minutes

Behind the scenesMario Andretti1967 Ford Fairlane

The only driver to have won the Indianapolis 500, the Daytona 500 and the Formula 1 world title. Mario Andretti slips into Cars (2006) in the guise of a 1967 Ford Fairlane in blue and beige, number 11 — the car of his Daytona 500 victory. He voices himself in the original version and appears at the entrance to the circuit of the Piston Cup tie-breaker race, where the rusty old car Fred gets carried away at meeting such a celebrity. This profile retraces his real record: Indy 500 1969, Daytona 500 1967, the 1978 F1 title in the Lotus 79 and four IndyCar crowns.

Summary

Who is Mario Andretti in Cars?

Mario Andretti is one of many real-life driver cameos in the first Cars film (2006). On screen, he takes the form of a 1967 Ford Fairlane—the car with which the real Mario Andretti won the Daytona 500—painted blue and beige, with the number 11 on the doors. He can be seen at the entrance of the circuit for the famous Piston Cup tie-breaker race in California, ready to witness the final duel.

Mario Andretti in Cars: a blue 1967 Ford Fairlane with a beige roof, number 11 on the door
Mario Andretti, Cars version: a blue and beige 1967 Ford Fairlane, carrying the number 11.

🚙 On screen, the blue and beige 1967 Ford Fairlane with the number 11 does no more than roll past the entrance of the circuit; on your shelf, our Cars 1 toy cars stay parked for good.

A true racing legend

It's no coincidence that Pixar gave him a cameo: Mario Andretti is one of the most versatile drivers in history. He is the only one to have won both the Indianapolis 500 (1969), the Daytona 500 (1967), and the Formula 1 World Championship title (1978, in the Lotus 79). He also holds four IndyCar titles and over 100 career victories, leading to him being named "Driver of the Century" by the Associated Press. An absolute legend, perfect for an Easter egg in a film centered on racing.

Mario Andretti in his helmet, strapped into the cockpit of a black and gold Lotus single-seater in John Player Special colours
The real Mario Andretti at the wheel of a Lotus John Player Special: it was in the Lotus 79 that he took the Formula 1 world title in 1978. Photo: United Autosports, CC BY-SA 2.0.

His appearance in the film

Mario Andretti's cameo occurs during the decisive race that will determine the winner of the Piston Cup between Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and The King. At the entrance to the circuit, the scene plays for laughs: the rusty old car Fred is very excited to meet such a celebrity. A delightful nod for motorsport fans, who also recognize the champion's real voice (he voices himself in the original version).

👕 At the entrance to the circuit, Fred the rusty old jalopy meets Mario Andretti with nothing but his pitted bodywork for an outfit; in front of your screen, you can do far better with our Cars sweaters and sweatshirts.

Voiture Cars Vieil Ami de Doc Hudson - Mario Andretti

The legend in miniature

Cars Car Doc Hudson's Old Friend - Mario Andretti

The diecast of Mario Andretti from Cars: the racing legend to park in your collection from the first movie.

26,90 € View car
At the entrance to the Los Angeles International Speedway, a safety vehicle, the old rusty jalopy Fred and Mario Andretti's blue Ford Fairlane in front of packed stands
The cameo scene: at the entrance to the tiebreaker race track, Fred the rusty jalopy comes face to face with Mario Andretti.

Cars, a haven for real-life drivers

Mario Andretti is far from the only champion to have lent his voice to the saga. Pixar has multiplied the cameos of racing stars: for example, Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher appear in Cars 2. This is a way for the studios to pay tribute to the real world of automobile racing that inspired the entire Cars universe.

🛴 In Cars 2, real-life racing only gets in through the voices of Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher; at your place, it rolls in on the wheels of our Cars scooters.

Lewis Hamilton, Cars version: a dark grey sports car with a yellow stripe, shown against a black background with the Cars 2 logo
Lewis Hamilton has his own character in Cars 2: Pixar multiplied the cameos of racing stars.

Summary table

Element Detail
Vehicle Type 1967 Ford Fairlane
Number 11
Color Blue and beige
Film Cars (2006)
Role Cameo — spectator at the tie-breaker race
VO Voice Mario Andretti (himself)
Real Achievements F1 Champion 1978, Indy 500 1969, Daytona 500 1967

Also read: Fred, Lightning McQueen's #1 rusty fan, Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s cameo, Jay Limo, the nod to Jay Leno.

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is Mario Andretti in Cars?
    A cameo: the real racing legend Mario Andretti appears in the first film as a 1967 Ford Fairlane, at the Piston Cup tie-breaker race.
  • What car is Mario Andretti in the film?
    A 1967 Ford Fairlane bearing the number 11—the car with which he won the Daytona 500 in real life.
  • Does Mario Andretti voice himself?
    Yes: he lends his own voice to the character in the original version.
  • Why is Mario Andretti a legend?
    He is the only driver in history to have won the Indy 500, the Daytona 500, and the Formula 1 World Championship.
  • Does he appear in other Cars films?
    His cameo is in the first Cars; other real-life drivers like Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher appear in Cars 2.
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