In the world of motorsport, certain events carry more value and meaning for drivers than others. Some stand out as the pinnacle of success, revered by drivers and fans alike. For example, no one would turn down the victory at the Monaco GP in F1 or Le Mans 24 hours, as well as the Indianapolis 500. These three form the Triple Crown – Motorsport’s most prestigious and notoriously difficult achievements. They symbolise the ultimate test of a driver’s skill, versatility, and endurance. Achieving victory in these events is a monumental task, and only one driver in history has accomplished it while a handful are near it. We will talk about what’s the Triple Crown, reveal who won it and explain why it’s so difficult to achieve.
About the Triple Crown
The Triple Crown of Motorsport is an unofficial but highly esteemed title in motorsport. To claim it, a driver must win the Monaco Grand Prix in Formula 1, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and the Indianapolis 500. Each race is in a completely different category, has unique demands and requires vastly different skills and strategies. Such challenges make this trifecta a true test of a driver’s versatility and mastery across various forms of racing. It’s the ultimate, most amazing test of one’s ability behind the wheel.
The Monaco Grand Prix held on the narrow streets of Monte Carlo, is renowned for its glamour and technical difficulty. The 24 Hours of Le Mans is the ultimate test of endurance and teamwork, requiring multiple drivers to navigate a gruelling 24-hour race. The Indianapolis 500, with its high-speed oval track, tests a driver’s bravery and precision over 500 miles.
Monaco GP – Why is it so Hard to Win it?
The Monaco Grand Prix is almost an inseparable part of the Formula 1 World Championship. Teams, drivers, engineers and even fans consider it as one of the most prestigious and challenging races in the world. The race is on the streets of Monte Carlo. Tight, slow corners, 0 margin for error, elevation changes and nowadays almost no window for overtaking means qualifying is crucial. Starting from the front row significantly increases a driver’s chances of success.
Here, even a slight misjudgment can result in a crash, ending a driver’s race instantly. The unforgiving barriers that line the circuit add to the difficulty, as there is virtually no runoff area. Ayrton Senna best described this. The Brazilian said that you need to get into a zone, a trance almost to go fast in Monaco.
Legends such as Ayrton Senna, who won the race six times, have cemented their legacy through their prowess on this iconic circuit. Yet not Ayrton Senna, but an entirely different winner has the Triple Crown. The mystery champion had a nickname Mr. Monaco, as he was super successful in Monte Carlo’s streets himself.
Le Mans 24 Hours – Why is it so Hard to Win it?
The 24 Hours of Le Mans is held annually in France, the outskirts of Le Mans. It is the oldest active endurance racing event, running from 1923. Unlike the Monaco GP or a simple race, taking 60 – 130 minutes, Le Mans challenges teams to race continuously for 24 hours. This is the ultimate test of endurance and stamina of the driver and the durability of the cars.
Winning Le Mans requires more than just speed (albeit Mulsanne is one of the longest straights in any big-name track). The race demands impeccable teamwork and reliability. Each team typically has three drivers who take turns behind the wheel. Racing for a whole day means being able to adapt to weather changes, capitalising on the mistakes of your opponents, reacting to the pressure they apply and doing so yourself.
The Circuit de la Sarthe is a mix of public roads and a dedicated racing track. Probably the most famous racecourse in the world features the aforementioned Mulsanne straight where cars reach top speeds of 220+ mph, as well as intense braking zones and technical sections that test a car’s handling.
Strategy plays a crucial role, as teams must carefully manage fuel, tyres, and driver changes to come out victorious from 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Indianapolis 500 – Why is it so Hard to Win it?
The Third piece of the Triple Crown is the Indianapolis 500 or the Indy 500. It is one of the oldest and probably the most prestigious automobile races held in the United States. The race itself covers 500 miles, requiring drivers to complete 200 laps on an oval track.
Indy 500 is very fast. Drivers reach average speeds of over 220 mph. Consistency and steadiness are must-meet demands, not accounting for endurance and bravery. The track’s four distinct turns, coupled with the need to navigate traffic and make rapid strategic decisions, create a highly competitive environment.
Pit strategy is crucial, as refuelling and tire changes must be executed flawlessly while drivers have to stay super focused for 3 and a half hours.
Graham Hill – the Only Triple Crown Winner
Winning these three motor races is so hard to do that only Mr. Monaco – Graham Hill has been able to obtain the Triple Crown. He did so in 1972, so it’s been 50+ years of no one being able to match the Briton. Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Tom Kristensen, Jacky Ickx, A. J. Foyt, Al Unser, and Helio Castroneves are all big names in the world of motorsport. But even with so many race wins and world championships under their belt, Graham Hill is the only one to step on the top step of all three events.
Hill won the Monaco Grand Prix five times between 1963 and 1969, earning the nickname Mr Monaco. He also won the Formula One World Championship in 1962 and 1968.
In 1966 he won the Indy 500, and the crowning achievement was reached in 1972 when, driving for Matra-Simca alongside Henri Pescarolo, Hill triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Sadly, the father of future F1 champion Damon Hill tragically died in a helicopter crash.
Drivers Who Nearly Won the Triple Crown
Several drivers have come close to achieving the Triple Crown. Nowadays it’s almost impossible to do because of a few factors.
- Time constraints – F1 drivers have very long seasons, and it’s almost impossible for them to be available for other events.
- Lack of involvement from teams – very rarely could a team accept a driver from another discipline just to give him a shot at a Triple Crown.
- Team-domination –team performance matters more than anything in motorsport today. It’s difficult to expect that a top driver would join the best team for every event. It takes time to build a winning culture and no one takes the time or is lucky enough.
Many drivers showcased their talent and versatility competing for the Triple Crown but ultimately fell short. Among them, Fernando Alonso stands out. The two-time Formula 1 World Champion won the Monaco GP back to back (2006 and 2007). He also triumphed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2018 and 2019. The Spaniard’s pursuit of the Triple Crown led him to compete in the Indianapolis 500 for McLaren, but he hasn’t been able to win at the oval.
Juan Pablo Montoya is another notable driver who has come close. Monty won the Monaco Grand Prix in 2003 and the Indianapolis 500 twice (2000 and 2015). Yet the Colombian never participated in Le Mans.
So it’s hard to see anyone other than these two getting a real shot anytime soon.