What is the Triple Crown? How many drivers have achieved it? - Explained

Formula 1 is the ultimate championship in motor racing. It's the number 1 racing league in the world. But there are other racing championships in the world with the same kind of history and legacy. The Indy 500 and Le Mans have the same legacy as the Formula 1. All three together come under the Triple Crown.

Motorsport Triple Crown

A driver who wins races across three different racing disciplines is unofficially awarded the 'Triple Crown'. It consists of three races Indianapolis 500, 24 Hours of Le Mans, and Monaco Grand Prix. These three races are considered the most prestigious races. The Triple Crown is an unofficial title as no award is given for it. 

The Indy 500 is the oldest of the three races. It started in 1911 which is 12 years before the inaugural 24 Hours of Le Mans. The Monaco GP is the newest as it started in 1929. The Indy 500 was added to the F1 calendar in the 1950s. However many manufacturers opted out due to different regulations and not willing to travel to America.

Triple Crown driver

Graham Hill is the only driver who achieved the Triple Crown. He won Monaco GP in 1963, Indy 500 in 1966 and he tried winning Le Mans the same year but the best he could achieve was second place in 1964. In 1972, he achieved this feat on his final try and won the Le Mans. 

Triple crown-winning team

From a team point of view, McLaren is the only team that has achieved the Triple Crown. McLaren won the Indy 500 in 1972, 1974, 1976. They won the Monaco GP in 1984 and Le Mans in 1995.

Formula 1 Drivers

Fernando Alonso is the only driver in the current lineup to have won the Monaco GP in 2006 and 2007. Alonso tried winning the Indy 500 in 2017 but his Honda engine blew up. In 2018-2019 he competed in Le Mans for the Toyota team and won the championship. Huan Pablo Montoya is the other driver who won two out of the three triple crowns. He won the 2000 and 2015 editions of the Indy 500, 2003 Monaco GP and the Le Mans in 2021. But he cannot claim to be a triple crowner because he won the Le Mans in LMP2 Pro-AM Class as hypercar is the top category.

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