In the round-up: Max Verstappen says he has no interest in seeking the ‘triple crown’ of by adding victories in both the Indianapolis 500 and Le Mans 24 Hours to his 2021 Monaco Grand Prix triumph.
In brief
Verstappen: “I don’t need to risk my life” for Indy 500
The reigning Formula 1 world champion says he has “no desire to chase the triple crown, at least, not IndyCar.”
“I appreciate what they do,” said Verstappen. “It’s insane. These drivers, I have a lot of respect for what they achieve there.
“But for me, especially not [having] been in F1 for such a long time already, I don’t need to risk my life there and potentially injure myself, your legs, whatever or… it’s just not worth it any more, let’s say like that.”
Despite not seeking an Indy 500 win, however, Verstappen said he would consider another part of the crown. “Maybe Le Mans. I do like endurance races, so I will probably do some, hopefully soon, 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.”
Ericsson nets $3.1 million from largest ever Indy 500 prize pool
Marcus Ericsson’s Indy 500 victory earned him a $3.1 million (£2.46 million) pay-out, from the largest ever prize pool at the event.
The total prize fund for the 2022 Indy 500 was $16,000,200 (£12,694,718) – the largest ever available as prize money for the event. The previous record high of $14,400,000 was set 14 years earlier, at the 2008 event. This year’s average pay-out for drivers was $485,000.
“F1 drivers are kind of artists” to find creative Monaco overtakes
Pierre Gasly brought some much-needed overtaking to the Monaco Grand Prix, with early moves up the order even on wet tyres.
“I was so much faster than those guys I just needed to calm myself because I’ve caught them so quickly,” he explained after the grand…