On Oct. 23, a beaming Mario Andretti received the Commendatore dell’Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana for his public service and achievements as a racecar driver and his enduring commitment to his Italian heritage.
The Commendatore, as it is less formally known, was presented by Italy’s Consul General to New York, Antonio Bandini, on behalf of Giorgio Napolitano, President of the Republic of Italy. The ceremony was held in New York City at the Columbus Citizens Foundation.
Visibly moved by the ceremony, Andretti, 66 years old, said, “The first thing that came to my mind when I officially heard that I would receive this award was about my father, Gigi (Alvise), and the pride he would have felt, and my mother, Rina, and I know that tonight they invited St. Peter to join them for a cup of grappa.”
In a career that spanned an unprecedented five decades, Andretti achieved prominence in almost every category of motor racing. He was Formula One World Champion, Indy 500 winner, Daytona 500 winner, four-time Indy Car National Champion, USAC National Dirt Track Champion and three-time winner of the 12 Hours of Sebring. He was named Driver of the Year in three different decades, Driver of the Quarter Century, and Driver of the Century by the Associated Press.
Before presenting the Commendatore honor, Ambassador Bandini said that Andretti’s “fantastic achievements in sport are not the only reason we are about to honor him with the most important distinction of the Italian Republic. Indeed, Mario Andretti has always been a prominent member of the Italian American community (and) extremely proud of his Italian heritage.”
“It is a great honor for me that the Italian government has bestowed this honor on me,” said Andretti, “and not just for me but for my family and for my profession.”
