Andretti navigates personal loss, loneliness of pandemic

FILE - In this April 25, 1997, file photo, John Andretti, left, grins as his wife Nancy hugs his father Aldo after the younger Andretti won the pole for the Winston 500 at Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala. Mario Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Dave Martin, File)

This photo provided by Indianapolis Motor Speedway shows the funeral procession for Aldo Andretti, twin brother of Mario Andretti, taking a lap around the track before funeral services Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (Chris Owens/Courtesy IMS Photo via AP)

Pall bearers, including Mario Andretti, center, walk the casket out after the Celebration of Life service for Mario's twin brother, Aldo Andretti, at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Brownsburg, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 13, 2021. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (Kelly Wilkinson/The Indianapolis Star via AP)

FILE - In this May 10, 2009, file photo, John Andretti, left, walks out of the pit area his his uncle, Mario Andretti, after a practice session on the second day of qualifications for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

FILE - In this May 14, 2008, file photo, John Andretti, right, rides out to the pit area with his father, Aldo Andretti, for practice for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Mario Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew John lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/AJ Mast, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 21, 2020, file photo, Mario Andretti looks on before the final practice session for the Indianapolis 500 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Andretti feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings, File)

In this July 23, 2008, photo provided by Amy Hollowbush, Mario Andretti is shown with his parrot Gonzo at his home in Nazareth, Pa. The nights are the loneliest for Andretti, who finds himself alone in his sprawling Pennsylvania mansion with no one to talk to but Gonzo, his 34-year-old yellow-naped amazon parrot. One of the greatest racers of all-time is struggling, not unlike so many regular people around the world during this pandemic that has devastated families and claimed more than 3 million lives globally. (Amy Hollowbush via AP)

FILE - In this May 26, 2005, file photo, Infiniti Pro Series driver Marco Andretti, bottom, talks to his grandfather and 1969 Indy 500 champion Mario Andretti, left, uncle Aldo Andretti, top center, and father Michael Andretti during practice for the Futaba Freedom 100 auto race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indianapolis. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother Aldo and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

FILE - In this June 1, 1965, file photo, race driver Mario Andretti, left, of Nazareth, Pa., smiles with his wife Dee Ann after being named Rookie of the Year at Indianapolis following his third-place showing in the Indianapolis 500 the day before in Indianapolis, Ind. Mario feels the same pain as so many others these days. His wife died two years ago, long before the pandemic. And his beloved nephew lost a brutal battle with colon cancer. But then COVID-19 claimed his twin brother and one of the greatest racers of all time is not immune from the loneliness and depression sweeping the world. (AP Photo/Bob Daugherty, File)