The legendary Mario Andretti is set to be reunited with two Ferrari cars which shaped his career when he visits the GPlive event at Donington Park in May.

In addition to getting behind the wheel of the Ferrari 312B, a car which gave him his first Grand Prix victory in 1971, he’ll also meet up with the car which started his passion for Grand Prix racing over fifty years ago.

The 1971 Ferrari 312B and the 1953, ex-Alberto Ascari Ferrari 500 racers are part of a stunning display of cars from the Donington Grand Prix Collection which will be demonstrated on the track during the weekend-long celebration of Grand Prix racing. No less then seven of the rarest cars from the Museum will be in action, with a further six on display in the GPlive Paddock, which will allow a special close-up view.

In addition, visitors who have bought a family or weekend pass to GPlive can visit the Donington Collection for free throughout the weekend. A special shuttle bus service will run from the paddock to the museum entrance, allowing the easiest possible access to the Collection, which with over 130 exhibits, is the largest collection of Grand Prix racing cars in the world

The two Ferraris both mark important milestones in an Andretti life story which reads like one of the best Sylvester Stallone scripts. Born in Montona, on the Italian-Yugoslav border in 1940, Mario and his twin brother Aldo were penniless refugees when they climbed the fence at Monza in 1953 to watch their hero Alberto Ascari win the Italian Grand Prix. Andretti will see the actual car once again at Donington, for the first time in 54 years.

After his family emigrated to America in 1955, both Mario’s pride in his Italian heritage and passion for motor racing were set to be fulfilled. Mario made his name, first in oval racing then in Formula One with the Lotus and STP March teams, before being invited by 'Il Commendatore' Enzo Ferrari to drive for the Scuderia in the 1971.

Andretti won the first Grand Prix of the season at Kyalami in South Africa, in a 3-litre flat-12 Ferrari 312B identical to the car he will demonstrate at GPlive. It was the first of twelve Grand Prix victories Andretti scored in the course of his career, in addition to winning the 1978 Formula One World Championship for Lotus, the Indianapolis 500 and the Daytona 500 NASCAR event. His winning total stands at 111 race victories.

The two Ferraris however are just a taste of the mouthwatering selection of cars from the Donington Collection which will take to the track.