Mario Andretti’s Lotus 79 Returns to Imola Thanks to Zak Brown

During the 2025 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix weekend, a unique intersection of past and present brought fans to their feet—not because of a pole position, podium finish, or daring overtake, but due to a historic Formula 1 car roaring back to life. The man behind the wheel wasn’t a current F1 driver but McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown. The car? The legendary Lotus 79, the very machine that delivered Mario Andretti his 1978 Formula One World Championship.

In a weekend already soaked in tradition and racing pedigree at the Imola Circuit, Brown’s lap in the Lotus 79 served as a living homage to one of motorsport’s most iconic figures. His drive wasn’t just a joyride—it was a rolling tribute to a golden era of Formula 1 and one of its most accomplished and versatile drivers.

The Lotus 79: Engineering Marvel and Championship Winner

To understand the significance of Brown’s demonstration, one must appreciate the Lotus 79 itself. Designed by Colin Chapman’s revolutionary Team Lotus, the 79 was a leap forward in F1 design due to its mastery of ground effect aerodynamics. Unlike previous F1 cars, which relied primarily on wings for downforce, the Lotus 79 used venturi tunnels under the chassis to effectively “suck” the car to the track. This allowed for higher cornering speeds, vastly improved handling, and a sleek, low-profile aesthetic that became the visual blueprint for future designs.

It was in this car that Mario Andretti, the Italian-born American driver, dominated the 1978 season. Partnered with the late Ronnie Peterson, Andretti took the Lotus 79 to six wins that year and clinched the Drivers’ Championship, becoming the last American (as of now) to win the F1 title. His win wasn’t just a personal triumph; it was also a landmark moment for motorsport in the United States, propelling F1 further into American consciousness.

Zak Brown’s Tribute: A Bridge Between Generations

Fast-forward nearly five decades, and Zak Brown has ensured the legacy of that engineering marvel—and Andretti’s achievement—remains more than just museum lore. Brown, a racing enthusiast and collector with a deep reverence for motorsport history, took to Imola’s hallowed tarmac to relive a slice of F1 heritage. As he later shared on social media:

“Awesome to be out on track at Imola with @unitedautosports in the Lotus 79 that @MarioAndretti won the 1978 World Championship. What a circuit!”

This act was more than nostalgia—it was preservation. At a time when Formula 1 is experiencing a modern renaissance in global viewership, especially among younger fans, Brown’s demonstration served as a tangible connection to the past. It reminded audiences of the daring, the design, and the drama that once defined F1’s golden years.

Zak Brown’s Andretti Collection: More Than Just Cars

Brown’s passion for Mario Andretti extends well beyond a single car. In a recent walkthrough of his extensive racing car collection with ESPN F1, Brown unveiled not one, but three cars directly linked to the motorsport legend.

1. Formula 5000 Car

This was the first Andretti car shown during the tour. Formula 5000, a lesser-known but fiercely competitive American open-wheel series, was a proving ground for many great drivers. Brown noted its importance in Andretti’s diverse career, which included stints in NASCAR, IndyCar, Formula 1, and sports cars.

2. Lotus 79

The crown jewel of the collection, the very same car Brown drove at Imola. As he pointed out, many motorsport fans of a certain generation grew up idolizing this vehicle—not just through TV, but as toy models. The Matchbox version of the Lotus 79 adorned shelves around the world, turning the car into a symbol of F1 greatness.

3. 1987 Long Beach Grand Prix Winner

For Brown, this car holds deeply personal significance. It was at the Long Beach Grand Prix in 1987 that his passion for motorsport ignited, watching Mario Andretti dominate the field from pole position. Brown shared a particularly poignant story from Andretti himself—how the same chassis also ran at the 1987 Indy 500, where Andretti led 179 laps before an engine vibration issue forced retirement.

“He told me this story—it broke because his team told him to slow down, and that actually caused an engine vibration. He had a lap on the field.”

The anecdote reveals the razor-thin margin between victory and heartbreak in motorsport, and the sometimes unexpected consequences of strategic decisions.

Mario Andretti: A Career Beyond Borders

To appreciate the reverence Brown has for Andretti, one must understand Andretti’s place in racing history. Few drivers have matched the sheer diversity of his resume:

• Formula 1 World Champion (1978)
• Indianapolis 500 Winner (1969)
• Daytona 500 Winner (1967)
• Four-time IndyCar Champion

No other driver has won races in Formula 1, IndyCar, NASCAR, and World Sportscar Championship events. Andretti wasn’t just versatile—he was consistently dominant across disciplines, on both oval and road courses, in American and international settings.

His success helped elevate American motorsport talent on a global stage. In an era dominated by European names, Andretti’s Italian-American story—from immigrant to world champion—was one of racing’s greatest underdog narratives.

The Cultural Importance of Remembering Icons

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven F1 world, it’s easy to lose touch with the sport’s roots. Yet figures like Zak Brown, who prioritize preserving racing history, act as cultural stewards. By showcasing and driving cars like the Lotus 79, Brown isn’t just indulging in personal nostalgia—he’s educating fans and honoring those who paved the way for the current generation.

Brown’s upcoming demonstration of the 1987 Williams FW11B at Silverstone, originally driven by Nigel Mansell, is further testament to his commitment to motorsport heritage. It’s a form of motorsport curation—akin to bringing museum pieces to life.