Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will be competing in the Monaco Grand Prix this weekend, the most prestigious race on the Formula 1 calendar. And another of motorsport’s triple-crown races takes place on the very same day – the Indy 500.
Norris and Piastri will no doubt be cheering on the Arrow McLaren team. Pato O’Ward starts on the front row in third, with Robert Shwartzman on pole for Prema and Takuma Sato second for RLL.
Christian Lundgaard (P8) is the only other McLaren in the top 10, with Kyle Larson (P19) and Nolan Siegel (P24) further back. O’Ward once again carries most of the team’s hopes after his runner-up finish in 2024.
Fernando Alonso skipped the Monaco GP in 2017 while driving for McLaren so he could race in Indianapolis. After qualifying inside the top five and leading the race, he retired with engine problems.
Lando Norris says IndyCar drivers risk more than F1 counterparts
Speaking to ESPN at the Miami Grand Prix earlier this month, F1 title chaser Norris all but ruled out emulating Alonso. Many of his former junior series counterparts, including old teammate Colton Herta, are on the grid.
Norris is a keen spectator but is also wary that he could be involved in a ‘huge’ crash if he competed. Larson, Herta and Scott McLaughlin have all suffered airborne accidents in the run-up to the race.
Even in years where the race doesn’t clash with the Monaco GP, Norris knows that any injury could compromise his F1 prospects. Perhaps he’d reconsider his stance once he retires from Grand Prix racing.
“I have a lot of respect for these guys, because that’s something I’m never going to do,” he said. “I’m just not interested.
“I know a lot of the guys who are out doing it, obviously the guys at McLaren, but also some of the others that I almost grew up with. I have a lot of respect for them. It’s scary stuff.
“I love watching it, I’ve watched it for years and years. I wish them all the very best. I would love McLaren to come out on top, but nothing more than that.
“I’ve never done an oval, so I don’t know what to expect. They’re going quick. I can’t take anything away from the fact that they risk more than we do, in this race particularly.
“Some of the crashes there have been huge. A lot of people there have been injured. They risk a lot. They risk their lives. We risk ours in different ways, but that particular race is another ball game.
“You never know. Maybe I’ll try it. I’ve done ovals online, and I love it, but there’s no fear in that. Maybe that’s why I love it!”
Oscar Piastri agrees with McLaren teammate Lando Norris about the Indy 500
Norris’ teammate Piastri was also asked about the 200-lap race. He too sees it as a no-go.
The Australian pointed out that the average speed – around 230mph – exceeds the top speed of an F1 car. It’s therefore inevitable that the consequences of hitting the wall can be much greater.
F1 has modified many of its circuits over the years amid safety concerns, or removed them from the calendar altogether. Norris and Piastri agree that the Indy 500 is riskier than any of the 24 races they compete in.
“Not for me,” the Melbourne racer said. “Firstly, my dream and goal has always been to race in F1. But also those guys are crazy!
“For me, the speed, the walls being so close, you’ve got to put a lot of trust in the people around you.
“Crashing an F1 car at the speeds we go hurts. They’re going basically 20mph quicker than our top speed as their average speed. It’s not a matter of if it’s going to hurt, it’s how much it’s going to hurt.
“I’m very happy with my F1 car, with my F1 circuits. I’m very happy to be watching the Indy 500.”
