Welcome at RacingNews365

Become part of the largest racing community in the United Kingdom. Create your free account now!

  • Share your thoughts and opinions about F1
  • Win fantastic prizes
  • Get access to our premium content
  • Take advantage of more exclusive benefits
Sign in

Verstappen: 'No interest' in Indy 500 but hints at endurance races

Red Bull's Max Verstappen says he is hoping to enter some endurance races in the future, but has his reasons for not wanting to take part in the Indy 500.

Max Verstappen has said he has no interest in potentially hurting himself by taking part in the Indianapolis 500, one of the most prestigious races in the world that forms part of motorsport's unofficial 'Triple Crown'. F1's Monaco Grand Prix, IndyCar's Indy 500, and the World Endurance Championship's Le Mans 24 Hours make up the Triple Crown, with no contemporary driver having achieved it. The only driver to have managed it is Graham Hill. Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya are currently the two drivers closest to the achievement, with both having won Monaco; Alonso has taken victoru at Le Mans, while Montoya has been a winner at the Indy 500. Verstappen, who has achieved victory in Monaco, has indicated he'd be eager to try out Le Mans, but has no interest in ever attempting the world's most famous oval race. Speaking after the Monaco Grand Prix on Sunday and just ahead of the Indy 500 beginning in Indiana, Verstappen said the risk of injury is too much for his liking. "I've no desire to chase the Triple Crown – at least, not IndyCar," he told media, including RacingNews365.com . "I appreciate what they do. It's insane, these drivers… I have a lot of respect for what they achieve there but, for me, especially after now being in F1 for such a long time already – I don’t need to risk my life there and potentially injure myself, your legs, whatever... "It's just not worth it anymore, let's say like that."

Verstappen interested in Le Mans attempt

Verstappen hinted that he'd be interested in taking part in the Le Mans race, or even some other races in the near future – Fernando Alonso and Nico Hulkenberg both managed to take part in some endurance racing while actively participating in F1. "Maybe Le Mans. I do like endurance races, so I will probably do some, hopefully soon," Verstappen said. "But for me, it doesn’t really matter. I, of course, try to be good in F1 – I try to be good in whatever I do, but that desire of the Triple Crown or whatever – not interested." Verstappen's Red Bull teammate, Sergio Perez, is just as close to the Triple Crown, having won the race in Monte Carlo on Sunday. The Mexican driver also ruled out any attempt at chasing the achievement, citing his ever-growing family (Perez became a father for a third time immediately prior to Monaco). "I have no interest, to be honest," he explained. "In endurance, I don't know if I'll do that one day. I don't think so. I think, once I am done with F1, I need to look to go back and look after my kids. "I already have three! So yeah, I'll be quite busy!" Verstappen joked: "He's going to build a squad, so he can go along and play football with them!"

x
RESULTS 2024 F1 Chinese Grand Prix - sprint