What is the Triple Crown of Motorsport and which drivers can achieve it today?

The Triple Crown of Motorsport is one of the most prestigious achievements in motorsport. It is awarded to drivers who have secured victories in three of the most iconic races in international motorsport: the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. Its difficulty lies in the fact that each competition belongs to a different discipline, requiring drivers to excel in circuits, endurance, and ovals.

Background and Evolution of the Concept

The term "Triple Crown" is not an official recognition by any motorsport governing body, but it has been used for decades by drivers and motorsport experts. Originally, some considered the title to include the Formula 1 championship instead of the Monaco Grand Prix, but over time, the current version became consolidated.

Conquering the Triple Crown is a monumental challenge due to the specialization required for each of these events. It involves adapting to different types of cars and regulations, as well as the ability to compete in events with vastly different strategies, durations, and configurations.

The Races that Make Up the Triple Crown of Motorsport

Each of these competitions presents different challenges, and the difficulty of achieving the Triple Crown depends on various factors.

Monaco Grand Prix

This race is the most dependent on car performance, as in the modern era of Formula 1, it is almost impossible to win without a competitive car. Overtaking on this circuit is extremely difficult, making qualifying decisive. While it is a technical challenge due to its narrow streets and lack of margin for error, for a driver with the best car, the probability of victory is higher compared to the other two races.

It takes place on the streets of the Principality of Monaco, a tight and technical track that tests the precision of drivers. The absence of runoff areas and the need for absolute concentration throughout the race make this one of the most challenging events on the Formula 1 calendar.

24 Hours of Le Mans

This is the most prestigious endurance race in motorsport, held at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France. Its importance lies in the mechanical and strategic demands it places on teams and drivers over 24 uninterrupted hours.

Teamwork is a key factor in this race. Each car is shared by three drivers, meaning individual performance is not the only determining factor. Strategy, race pace, and adaptation to changing weather conditions all influence the final result.

Additionally, the reliability of the prototype plays a crucial role. Throughout the race, mechanical wear and proper management of the car's resources can make the difference between victory and retirement. Coordination between drivers and team decisions in the pits are essential to successfully complete the competition.

Indianapolis 500

The Indianapolis 500 is one of the most unpredictable and demanding races in the Triple Crown due to its oval nature, where drafting, traffic, and yellow flags can change the outcome at any moment. Experience on ovals is crucial, and any mistake or incident can cost the victory, regardless of the driver's or team's previous performance.

Why is Indianapolis the Hardest to Win?

• Nature of the Oval and Drafting: The average speed exceeds 350 km/h, and overtaking largely depends on drafting. A driver can lead for several laps but lose in the final meters if they don't manage aerodynamics and traffic well.
• Fuel Strategy and Yellow Flags: The race is prone to unexpected interruptions that can alter the strategy in seconds, benefiting or hindering any driver regardless of their previous performance.
• High Accident Rate: A single mistake can cause multiple incidents and eliminate several competitors at once, something that happens less frequently in Monaco or Le Mans.
• More Contenders with Real Chances of Winning: In Formula 1, only a few teams can aspire to win in Monaco. In Le Mans, the top teams in the Hypercar category have an advantage. In Indianapolis, the more balanced technical regulations and the nature of the oval mean more cars are competitive, increasing the number of drivers with real chances of victory.

Drivers Who Have Achieved the Triple Crown

To date, only one driver has achieved this feat:

• Graham Hill (United Kingdom)
  • Winner of the Monaco Grand Prix: 1963, 1964, 1965, 1968, 1969
  • Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 1972
  • Winner of the Indianapolis 500: 1966

The British driver remains the only one in history to have won all three races, cementing his legacy as a versatile figure in motorsport.

Which Drivers Can Win the Triple Crown?

In 2025, some active drivers have the opportunity to achieve the Triple Crown:

• Fernando Alonso (Spain)
  • He has won in Monaco (2006, 2007) with Renault and Le Mans (2018, 2019) with Toyota Gazoo Racing.
  • He only needs Indianapolis, where he has participated in 2017, 2019, and 2020 with Arrow McLaren SP without success so far.
  • He is the active driver closest to achieving the Triple Crown.

• Juan Pablo Montoya (Colombia)
  • He has won in Monaco (2003) with Williams and Indianapolis (2000, 2015) with Chip Ganassi Racing and Team Penske, respectively.
  • He lacks Le Mans, but his age and current activity in motorsport reduce his chances. He is currently semi-retired and does not compete regularly in any category.

• Max Verstappen (Netherlands)
  • He has won in Monaco (2021, 2023, 2024) with Red Bull Racing.
  • He has not competed in Le Mans or Indianapolis, although he has expressed interest in endurance racing, including the 24 Hours of Le Mans, as a possible future challenge.
• Lewis Hamilton (United Kingdom)
  • He has won in Monaco (2008, 2016) and has shown interest in exploring other categories after his time in Formula 1.
  • As a Ferrari driver, there is a possibility that he could be linked to the brand's endurance team in the WEC, which won Le Mans in 2023 and 2024.

• Charles Leclerc (Monaco)
  • He has won in Monaco (2024) with Ferrari.
  • He has not competed in Le Mans or Indianapolis, but due to his youth, he has time to explore other categories in the future.
  • Like Hamilton, his connection with Ferrari could open opportunities in the WEC endurance team.
• Sergio Pérez (Mexico)
  • He has won in Monaco (2022), placing him on the list of drivers with at least one victory in the Triple Crown.
  • He has not competed in Indianapolis or Le Mans, but after losing his seat in Formula 1, he has been linked to a possible move into endurance racing.

• Nico Hülkenberg (Germany)
  • Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 2015 with Porsche in the LMP1 category.
  • Currently, he competes in Formula 1 with Kick Sauber and has been confirmed as Audi's first driver for their entry into the category in 2026.
  • Although he has Le Mans, he has never participated in Indianapolis or won in Monaco. Additionally, he has not shown interest in competing in IndyCar, making his chances of achieving the Triple Crown very slim.

Drivers Who Came Close to Achieving the Triple Crown

Throughout history, several drivers have come close to achieving the Triple Crown but fell short of victory in the third race:

• Mario Andretti (USA)
  • Winner of the Indianapolis 500: 1969
  • Winner of the Monaco Grand Prix: 1978
  • He attempted to win Le Mans multiple times, with his best result in 1995, finishing second overall.
• Jim Clark (United Kingdom)
  • Winner of the Monaco Grand Prix: 1963
  • Winner of the Indianapolis 500: 1965
  • He competed in Le Mans with Lotus and Aston Martin but did not secure a victory.
• Tazio Nuvolari (Italy)
  • Winner of the Monaco Grand Prix: 1932
  • Winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: 1933
  • He attempted to compete in Indianapolis but was unsuccessful.
• Jacques Villeneuve (Canada)
  • Winner of the Indianapolis 500: 1995
  • Formula 1 World Champion: 1997 (although he never won the Monaco Grand Prix)
  • He competed in Le Mans in 2007 with Peugeot but did not win.

The Triple Crown remains one of the greatest challenges in motorsport. It requires a driver to be capable of competing and winning in completely different disciplines, making it a goal that very few have achieved. While Graham Hill remains the only one to have achieved it, names like Fernando Alonso keep the hope alive that someone else may join this list in the coming years.