Red Bull and Williams Talk Triple Crown Hopes as Alonso Chases Indy Victory

When Christian Horner, Red Bull Racing team principal sat down with Fernando Alonso, two‑time Formula One World Champion, and Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 champion, the conversation quickly turned to motorsport’s elusive "Triple Crown" – winning the Indianapolis 500, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix.

The interview, recorded by BBC Sport in early October 2024, also featured insights from Williams Racing engineers who outlined what it would take for a modern driver to tackle three very different disciplines.

Why the Triple Crown Still Captivates the Racing World

Only one driver has ever checked all three boxes: Graham Hill, the British legend who dominated the 1960s. Hill’s résumé includes five Monaco wins (1963‑69), a 1966 Indianapolis 500 triumph and a 1972 Le Mans victory. "His achievement feels almost mythic today," says Horner, noting that the blend of speed, endurance and sheer bravery is a rarity in today’s specialised era.

But the allure isn’t just nostalgic. For active drivers, the Triple Crown represents the ultimate proof of versatility. Alonso, who lifted the Le Mans podium in 2018 and 2019, has already conquered Monaco twice (2006, 2007) and collected two Drivers’ Championships (2005, 2006). The missing piece? A win at the ICONIC 2‑mile oval in Indiana.

Verstappen, meanwhile, acknowledges the challenge but remains realistic: "Formula One is my focus, but I respect the ambition. It would take a whole different skill set and a willing team behind you."

Breaking Down the Three Pillars

Each event tests a distinct set of talents:

• Indianapolis 500 – a 500‑mile sprint on a flat‑out oval that demands raw speed, precise car setup and the mental stamina to stay calm at 230 mph.
• 24 Hours of Le Mans – an endurance marathon where drivers rotate shifts, manage tyre wear and adapt to changing weather across an entire day.
• Monaco Grand Prix – a tight street circuit where concentration is king; a single mistake can end the race.

Williams engineers, speaking on behalf of their 2024 performance programme, highlighted that a modern F1 car’s aerodynamics are tuned for twisty circuits, not the flat‑out demands of Indianapolis. "We would need to develop a specialised aero package, perhaps borrowing from IndyCar technology, to be competitive there," explains chief aerodynamicist James Vowles.

Alonso’s Indy Ambitions and Roadmap

Alonso, who already competes in the World Endurance Championship with Toyota Gazoo Racing, has privately expressed a desire to try the Indy 500. In the BBC interview he said, "I love the idea of taking the wheel on a completely different track. It would be the final piece of a puzzle I’ve been working on for years."

His plan, according to his manager Javier Garcia, involves a test run with an IndyCar team in the 2025 preseason, followed by a full‑time entry in 2026 if the schedule permits. "The calendar is tight, but we’re negotiating with Andretti Autosport for a trial run," Garcia added.

Should Alonso secure an Indy win, he would join a short‑list that includes Jacques Villeneuve and Juan‑Pablo Montoya – both of whom have a single Indy victory and a World Championship, yet never claimed Monaco.

Red Bull’s Perspective: From F1 Dominance to Cross‑Discipline Dreams

Horner made it clear that Red Bull isn’t averse to supporting drivers who chase historic milestones. "We’ve always embraced new challenges – remember when we entered the Dakar Rally? If a driver wants to try Indy, we’d back them where we can," he said.

Verstappen, ever the pragmatist, cautioned that any foray into Indy would need to fit within the tightly packed F1 season. "You can’t just drop everything for a single race. It would have to be a full‑season commitment, and that changes the whole dynamic of the sport," he noted.

Impact on Fans and the Sport’s Narrative

For the global audience, the Triple Crown provides a storyline that stretches beyond a single championship. A driver edging closer fuels media buzz, ticket sales and sponsorship interest across three continents.

Commentators at the World Motorsports Forum in London this September argued that the pursuit could revitalize interest in endurance racing among younger fans, who typically follow only Formula One. "When a champion like Alonso talks Indy, it pulls a new demographic onto the Le Mans and Indy tracks," said panelist Emma Clarke, senior editor at Motorsport Magazine.

What’s Next? Calendar, Contracts, and Test Sessions

Looking ahead, the next key dates are:

1. Late 2024: Alonso’s potential test with Andretti Autosport (subject to approval from the FIA).
2. Early 2025: Williams releases a technical brief on adapting an F1 chassis for oval use.
3. May 2025: Indianapolis 500 qualifying – the first realistic chance for an active F1 champion to line‑up.

All eyes will be on the contractual negotiations. If a driver secures a dual‑programme with both an F1 team and an IndyCar outfit, it could set a new precedent for cross‑disciplinary contracts, echoing the early 2000s when Jacques Villeneuve dabbled in both series.

Key Facts

• Triple Crown requires wins at Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans and Monaco Grand Prix.
• Only Graham Hill has completed the feat (1966‑1972).
• Fernando Alonso holds two Le Mans titles (2018, 2019) and two Monaco wins (2006, 2007).
• Current contenders: Alonso (seeking Indy), Max Verstappen (focus on F1), Jacques Villeneuve, Juan‑Pablo Montoya.
• Williams Racing is exploring an aero package to make an IndyCar‑compatible F1 car.