SPORT Seize the triple crown
7 min
The Indy 500, the Monaco Grand Prix, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans are three entirely different races. But together they form the famous triple crown of motorsport. Each race is steeped in history and folklore. This year The Edge had the privilege of covering this beloved trio. We cheered on the Oracle Red Bull Racing team at the 80th Monaco Grand Prix, rooted for Porsche Penske Motorsport at the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and took our place as the Official Timekeeper of the Indy 500. Phew. It’s been quite a ride. So we’re going to take a deep breath and jump into some of our highlights.
Celebrating the Speedway
The Indy 500 has always held a special place in our hearts. It has a rich history that spans over a century. In that time, the event has become a staple of American culture and a much-anticipated date on the sporting calendar. The Indy 500 has several quirks that set it apart: a 33-car field lining up three-wide for the start, the tradition of celebrating victory by kissing the Yard of Bricks, and the bottle of milk that is presented to the winning driver.
This year we made sure we enjoyed every minute of what is often called ‘the greatest spectacle in racing’. From analyzing the art of a lightning-fast Indy 500 pit-stop to capturing the iconic atmosphere through our lens, we covered a lot of ground. Douglas Boles, President of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, spoke to The Edge podcast about how the storied event is looking to evolve by embracing innovative technologies and attracting a new generation of fans. We also got to meet racing driver Alexander Rossi who relived the moment he won the 100th Indy 500 in 2016, during his rookie season. Oh, and one other highlight was the release of our limited edition timepiece: the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Indy 500.
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Indy 500
Starstruck in Monaco
Next stop, Monaco. Home to some of the most unforgettable moments in Formula 1 history, the Monaco Grand Prix is on every motor racing fan’s bucket list. And the 80th edition of the race did not disappoint. The packed stands were treated to yet another Max Verstappen masterclass. The two-time World Champion dominated the race, looking imperious in his Oracle Red Bull Racing car. We’d like to believe that his new lucky charm, a customized TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Skeleton, had a small role to play in his victory. Fittingly, his custom-made timepiece also includes a bold red number ‘1’ displayed on the dial, highlighting his status as Formula 1 royalty.
Off the track, our iconic Jacques Cartier ship played host to a glamorous evening with the stars. Our guests for the race weekend included brand ambassadors like tennis legend Maria Sharapova, actors Wi Ha Jun, Tom Holland and Louis Patridge, model Sara Sampaio, and legendary boxer Conor McGregor. The evening was also graced by musical icon Kylie Minogue. And now we just can’t get Monaco out of our heads.
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MONTE-CARLO, MONACO - MAY 27: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB19 on track during qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Monaco at Circuit de Monaco on May 27, 2023 in Monte-Carlo, Monaco. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)
100 years, 24 hours, 1 legendary race
With the Indy 500 and the Monaco Grand Prix out of the way, all eyes turned to the ‘Race of the century’. The 24 Hours of Le Mans, one of the greatest endurance races in the world, was turning 100. And like every fan who came down to Circuit de la Sarthe, we were keen to celebrate the milestone in style. One of the defining features of the race is its unique format. Unlike most other endurance races, which are run for a set distance or number of laps, Le Mans is a true test of longevity. Drivers and teams must balance speed with reliability, as they push their cars to the limit for a full 24 hours. This makes for a grueling and often unpredictable race, with plenty of twists and turns along the way.
How does a great team like Porsche Penske Motorsport prepare for such a challenge? Well, The Edge got a very special tour of the team garage with TAG Heuer ambassador Patrick Dempsey. With help from some of the Porsche Penske Motorsport crew, Dempsey took us behind the scenes so we could get a taste of what it’s like to keep a team ticking during a long and challenging weekend at Le Mans. Urs Kuratle, Director of Factory Racing, sat down with The Edge podcast to discuss the development of Porsche’s endurance racing car, the 963. That’s not all. We explored the world of Esports with Joshua Rogers, Porsche Works Driver and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans Virtual 2020. Joshua shared his thoughts on how motorsport could bridge the gap between ‘real’ racing and sim racing. And finally, former FIA World Endurance Champion Marc Lieb recalled the moment that jump started his incredible career and gave us a sense of what makes Le Mans so special.
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