Verstappen: No desire to risk my life in the Indy 500

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Max Verstappen says he has no ambitions to bid for motorsport's Triple Crown, as he won't risk life or limb racing in the Indianapolis 500.

Motorsport's ultimate accomplishment, which consists of winning the Monaco Grand Prix, the Le Mans 24 Hour and the Indianapolis 500, has only been achieved by one driver: the great Graham Hill.

Two drivers, Fernando Alonso and Juan Pablo Montoya, have attempted to reach Triple Crown fame but have collected just two of the three mandatory wins.

A two-time Monaco Grand Prix winner and a double Le Mans victor, Alonso's efforts at the Brickyard were unfruitful on three occasions although he was among the race's front-runners on his first visit to the Speedway in 2017.

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Montoya has won the Indy 500 twice and triumphed in Monaco with Williams in 2003. But the Colombian has yet to prevail overall at Le Mans although he won the event's LMP2 Pro-Am category in 2021.

While Verstappen – who won the Monaco GP in 2021 - would gladly take a shot at Le Mans later on in his career, the 2021 F1 world champion has no interest of racing at Indianapolis' famed oval.

Read also: Grosjean's first Indy 500 bid ends in the wall

"I’ve no desire to chase the Triple Crown – at least, not IndyCar," he responded. "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 has expressed in the past an interest in entering Le Mans with his father Jos. However, that father-and-son plan is unlikely to come to fruition.

But racing one day in motorsport's endurance classic is still on the cards for the Red Bull charger.

"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."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.