Motor Sports
Michael Andretti, who repeatedly said he wants to carry the American flag into Formula One racing, ended months of speculation by signing a contract to race next season for Team McLaren.
A formal announcement is scheduled for Thursday that Andretti, 29, will leave the Indy-car circuit, where he is the defending champion and currently in the midst of the battle for the 1992 title.
The contract reportedly gives McLaren an option on Andretti’s services for 1994 and will pay the Nazareth, Pa., driver between $5 million and $10 million, depending on his performance. Andretti, set to become the first American driver in the globe-hopping Formula One series since Eddie Cheever moved to Indy cars two years ago, will earn $3 million this season.
Andretti’s departure will leave open one of the most coveted rides in Indy-car racing. Among those reportedly interested in it are current Formula One champion Nigel Mansell, new world sports car champion Derek Warwick and Martin Brundle.
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