Max Verstappen shares thoughts on racing at Crown Jewel Indy500 says: ‘I’ll see, maybe I’ll go up one day…’

Held annually at the iconic Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy500 is considered one of motorsport’s crown jewels and is one of the three races that make up motorsport’s Triple Crown, along with the Le Mans 24 Hours and the Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix. But Verstappen does not see himself competing in the event despite its historic significance.

During a recent interview with Road and Track ahead of the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix, Verstappen was asked about his interest in potentially racing in the Indy500. His answer was direct and unequivocal:

“I’ll see, maybe one day I’ll go up to see it live because I think it’s a great experience there in Indianapolis, but for me, I don’t want to do the Indy 500.”

Acknowledging the challenge of IndyCar

Although Verstappen did not express interest in the Indy500, he acknowledged the difficulty and skill required in IndyCar racing. The Indy500 is famous for its high-speed, low-downforce setup, which requires a unique set of skills, including mastering slipstreaming and managing race strategy on an oval track without sharp turns. Former F1 drivers such as Marcus Ericsson have taken part in the Indy500 and even won, underscoring the competitiveness and talent of the series.

Verstappen also mentioned that he had been following the series closely. He reflected on his connection with some of the best IndyCar drivers, including reigning IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who Verstappen raced against during their karting days:

“I have no desire to drive the Indy 500, but I have a lot of respect for what they do. There are a lot of good drivers in the series, that’s why I try to watch it when I’m home. Some of these guys who drive there, like Alex (Palou), I grew up with Alex in karting on the same team,” he added.

Bonding with IndyCar drivers

Verstappen also took a moment to express pride in seeing other drivers succeed in the IndyCar series, most notably Alex Palou and Scott Dixon. He shared that it’s always special to reconnect with drivers he grew up racing with and how it’s been rewarding to meet them as peers now in the racing world.

“I’m obviously proud to see what he’s achieved there. Meeting Scott (Dixon), who has achieved a lot in IndyCar and sports approx.

“Obviously, I’m proud to see what he’s accomplished there. To meet Scott (Dixon), who’s accomplished a lot in IndyCar and sports cars, and these guys who explain things to you here before you jump in the car, it’s nice to meet other drivers from all over the world and share the same passion at the end of the day,” he said.

Verstappen talks about the importance of IndyCar and other racing series

Max Verstappen also discussed the importance of other racing series, such as IndyCar and Super Formula, which provide drivers with opportunities to compete beyond Formula 1. While his current focus remains firmly on F1, Verstappen appreciates the competitive nature of these series and the growing presence of European drivers in American open-wheel racing.

“It’s hard to do different things at the moment. Between F1, IndyCar, they’re all popular in their own right, in their own areas of the world. It’s nice to see also in IndyCar, for example, that there are more European drivers I think it’s great because there are so many competitive series all over the world, like in Japan with Super Formula.

Verstappen’s future with Red Bull

As for his own future, Max Verstappen’s current contract with Red Bull Racing runs until 2028. While he is clearly open to seeing other forms of motorsport and staying connected with other drivers, he remains committed to his Formula 1 career in a foreseeable future. With a clear focus on his current performances in F1, it is clear that Verstappen’s attention is firmly set on continuing his dominance in the sport.

For now, he has closed the door on racing in the Indy500, but his respect for the series and its drivers remains unwavering. Fans can expect Verstappen to keep his options open as his career progresses, but for now F1 remains his primary focus.