ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Michael Andretti was tanned and thinner when he made his way from his yacht to the starting grid for IndyCar’s season-opening race.
He was also relaxed.
Retirement is going better than expected for Andretti, who turned control of his race team over to Dan Towriss at the end of last season and no longer has any official role at Andretti Global. He wore an Andretti team shirt Sunday but after the national anthem did not head toward one of the teams' three pit stands to oversee the race on the downtown streets of St. Petersburg.
Andretti instead headed off in the direction of Andretti hospitality — or maybe he was going back to his triple-decker yacht docked near Turn 10. He has no responsibilities since selling controlling interest of Andretti Global to business partner Towriss, who has committed to retaining the team name and honoring the legacy of motorsports' most iconic family.
“No headaches,” he grinned of his Sunday afternoon. “It's weird that I have no schedule. I'm not used to it, like, I don't know what to do.”
The first race of the IndyCar season was won by Chip Ganassi Racing's two-time reigning series champion Alex Palou. Andretti drivers finished fifth, sixth and 16th.
Not Andretti's problem, these days. He is 62, is a new grandfather of two and has 11-year-old twins. He showed up in St. Pete and was seen earlier this weekend wearing shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops — an eye-popping sight to the team employees who had never seen their former boss so laid back.
“I'm happy. Everybody is telling me I look happy. I didn't know I was that miserable when I was here before,” Andretti said.
He blamed his former demeanor on the pressures of running the race team — particularly the final four years, when he was denied a Formula 1 team by that series' management and publicly feuded with IndyCar owner Roger Penske over Andretti's gripes as to how Penske was running the series.
Once Andretti was out of the picture, Formula One Management approved the Cadillac F1 effort for 2026. Cadillac F1 is owned by TWG Motorsports, of which Towriss is CEO.
“The Cadillac F1 Team is made up of a strong group of people that have worked tirelessly to build an American works team,” Andretti posted on social media when the effort was finally approved. “I’m very proud of the hard work they have put in and congratulate all involved on this momentous next step. I will be cheering for you!”
His father, 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti, will be an ambassador for the Cadillac F1 team and told The Associated Press on Sunday that there are no lingering hard feelings with F1 management over its Andretti slight.
Michael Andretti isn't interested in any role and on Sunday wasn't even sure what other races he'll attend this season beside the Indianapolis 500 in May. He was nervous about stepping away from a full-time presence in motorsports but has embraced the freedom he has now.
“You're always tense. You're always thinking about what you've got to do next. Now it's not my problem,” Andretti said then added “I'm enjoying it a lot. More than I expected.”
AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing
Former driver Mario Andretti poses for cameras as he arrives to the F1@75 launch event at the O2 arena in London, Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Michael Andretti, third from left, stands with his son, Mario, left, wife Jodi Ann, second from left, and Andretti Global new owner Dan Towriss, second from right, with his wife Cassidy Marie, right, before the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg auto race Sunday, March 2, 2025, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Jenna Fryer)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Two longtime Saints players in their mid-30s — who are not under contract for next season — are coming off memorable and emotional home finales that have ignited discussions about their NFL future.
Whether defensive end Cameron Jordan or versatile offensive skill player Taysom Hill return next season remains to be seen. But their effort and commitment during a difficult rebuilding season has drawn high praise from first-year coach Kellen Moore.
“Those guys are the best,” Moore said. “They are the ultimate lead-by-example guys."
Moore called their contributions to this non-playoff season “really, really special," adding, “These guys are playing really good football right now.”
Jordan, 36, and in his 15th NFL season — all with New Orleans — had two sacks during the Saints' 29-6 victory over the New York Jets, raising his team-leading total to 8 1/2.
The 35-year-old Hill, who came back from a major, 2024 knee injury, accounted for 116 total yards as a runner, passer and receiver — a performance highlighted by a game-sealing 38-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter.
Jordan and Hill both took time to salute the crowd on their way off the field and acknowledged that while playing for the Saints means a lot to them, they cannot be certain what their future holds.
Jordan, who has 130 career sacks, has hinted repeatedly that he's not ready to retire, tossing out names of other defensive ends who played into their late 30s, such as Julius Peppers (who played 17 seasons and retired at 39). But without a contract, he noted, it's hard to forecast whether or where he'll play in 2026.
At the very least, general manager Mickey Loomis felt compelled to walk into the Saints' locker room after Sunday's game, put an arm around Jordan's shoulder, and say a few private words that made the veteran pass rusher smile.
Hill didn't go into much detail about potentially retiring or playing elsewhere, but he did get emotional discussing how important the Saints organization has become to him since claiming him off waivers after the 2017 preseason.
When Hill's wife, Emily, asked him before Sunday's game whether he thought it might be his last as a Saint in the Superdome, he said he “didn’t really feel any type of way, but as I was driving to the stadium, you start to think about the last nine years and what it’s meant to me and my family.”
“So, for me personally, you just try to take it all in,” he added.
Moore isn't ready to discuss looming offseason decisions yet. After starting 1-7, the Saints (5-10) have a chance to finish with seven wins. The coach said on Monday he'd like the club's focus to remain squarely on the games to come.
“We've got two weeks left and this is all that we worry about,” Moore said. “We want to finish this thing off as well as we can for every single player. ... We're trying to create winning habits.”
New Orleans' pass coverage has been among the NFL's best, which might explain why Jets rookie QB Brady Cook looked indecisive and took eight sacks. After allowing the Jets 131 net yards passing, the Saints rank fifth in the NFL in yards passing allowed per game (177.3) and ninth in total defense (303.5).
The Saints' injury-ravaged running game could use more production. New Orleans finished with 84 yards rushing on Sunday and ranks 30th in the NFL in rushing, averaging 92.8 yards per game.
Receiver Chris Olave continued to build his case as one of the NFL's leading comeback players. He missed nine games last season, mostly because of a major concussion that cast uncertainty over his career. His 10 catches for 148 yards and two TDs against the Jets increased his season totals to 92 catches for 1,044 yards and eight TDs — all career highs.
“It was a tough time last year,” Olave said. “I was only 24 years old, contemplating retirement. ... I just gave it another try, another chance and it’s been a great year.”
Third-year NFL running back Evan Hull has seen the most action of his career in recent weeks with New Orleans because of injuries to Alvin Kamara and Devin Neal. But staying in the rotation might require more production. He gained 3 yards on five carries against the Jets.
Defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (knee) and tight end Foster Moreau (ankle) both will likely be out for at least one game, Moore said. It remains unclear when Kamara (knee and ankle), who's missed the past four games, will return.
1 — The number of first-year coaches in Saints history to have a four-game winning streak. That was Jim Haslett, whose 2000 playoff team won six straight. Moore could become the second with a victory this weekend.
The Saints travel for their final two games, beginning at Tennessee this Sunday for a matchup between non-playoff teams that are coming off victories. New Orleans finishes the season at Atlanta.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
New Orleans Saints head coach Kellen Moore walks on the sideline during the first half of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) holds on to the ball after a pass completion as New York Jets safety Dean Clark (35) defends during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
New Orleans Saints tight end Taysom Hill (7) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Ella Hall)
New Orleans Saints defensive end Cameron Jordan greets fans after an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in New Orleans. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
