Racing legend Mario Andretti tells TMZ Sports ... he kinda agrees with Bernie Ecclestone when it comes to women in F1 racing -- "it's clearly more of a men's sport."
Ecclestone -- widely considered the most powerful man in racing -- made headlines this week when he said women are too weak to be successful F1 drivers ... and "wouldn't be taken seriously."
So, we called up Andretti -- one of the greatest drivers who's ever lived -- to get his take on the situation. Here's what he told us:
"Bernie doesn’t mince words.