"You must develop the ability to be disliked" - Michael Andretti's son Marco delivers insight on living authentically

Michael Andretti's son Marco shared some words of wisdom on social media in what could've been a cryptic message. The rather serious message comes as a departure amidst a series of posts dedicated to his two-month-old daughter, Miura.

Andretti is a third-generation racer who has competed in both IndyCar and NASCAR. In his 252-race-long IndyCar career, the 37-year-old won two races and stood on 20 podiums. Compared to his family predecessors, he fell massively short, but he also hasn't been lucky enough at times.

On Saturday, Andretti shared an Instagram story addressing the criticism and dislike people often shower on others. He wrote on Instagram story:

"You must develop the ability to be disliked in order to free yourself from the prison of other peoples' opinions."

Marco Andretti shares a cryptic message | Image via Instagram story/@marcoandretti

This lesson has been rooted in his mind for over half a decade. In 2018, Marco addressed his subpar IndyCar stint, with his last win having come at the 2011 Iowa Corn Indy 250.

Despite the constant scrutiny, he had made peace with it. Talking about what another win would mean to him, Andretti said (via Motorsport):

"It would be a 10,000-pound gorilla off my back! I'm at the point where all this weight that's on my back is from me. I'm at a point where I totally agree with my critics.

"I can honestly tell you none of that stuff bothers me anymore, I've been dealing with it so long and I know what I can do, I really do. People like to look at what they want to look at, right now that's the story, but the fans will build you up as quick as they want to cut you down and that's just the way it works."

The mindset he has built as a racer in America's top open-wheel racing series is seemingly continuing to serve him well.

---

When Michael Andretti shut his son Marco's critics for "unfair" criticism

Michael Andretti at the 2023 Southwire Portland E-Prix - Source: Getty

Michael Andretti held his own as a racer and won 42 IndyCar races - the fourth-most all-time, and a championship in 1991, avoiding comparisons with his four-time IndyCar champion father Mario Andretti.

However, his son, Marco, couldn't replicate the success on such a big scale. In 2021, during an interview with IndyStar, Michael Andretti explained how Marco's career could've turned out much better if not for poor luck:

"The team would do something wrong, he’d get caught in an accident, a bad yellow. ... it’s just one of those careers, you look back, and it really could have been great. The talent was always there. He was capable of winning any race he was in."

Michael also addressed the generational pressure on Marco's shoulders, which was only exacerbated by constant criticism.

"Being the son of and the grandson of, it takes a toll on you. I can assure you. And then when he’s having such bad luck, not getting the results he knows he’s capable of, it really works on you. It gets to you. You read this stuff from people sitting in their mom’s basements and making all these comments. It’s totally unfair."

In 2024, Marco made his debut in the ARCA Menards series, driving the No. 17 Chevrolet for Cook Racing Technologies and finishing 16th.

Michael Andretti faced setbacks this year, with Andretti Global's F1 bid getting rejected in January. In September, he took a step back from his ownership role, with Dan Towriss replacing him.