The arrival of May always signals the run up to one of motor racing’s most hotly anticipated events, the Indy 500. Across the last 112 years, the race has featured more than its fair share of stories, and the 107th running is shaping up to be just as dramatic.

Last year it was Swede Marcus Ericsson who grabbed the glory, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, after a late Jimmie Johnson crash led to a dramatic two-lap sprint to the end, where Ericsson crossed the line 1.8sec ahead of Pato O’Ward. Given Ericsson’s disappointing Formula 1 career, the result was perhaps vindication of his talents.

But coming into this season’s showpiece, it’s almost impossible to call the favourites due to the topsy turvy nature of this year’s contest so far. At the time of writing, only two rounds of the IndyCar season had taken place, and four different drivers had starred. Sure, McLaren’s young Mexican O’Ward may lead the points courtesy of two second places, but Ericsson and Josef Newgarden have split the wins so far, with Romain Grosjean and Felix Rosenqvist sharing the pole positions.

Drivers like O’Ward, Callum Ilott and Colton Herta are all waiting to make their mark in the 500, while there are nine former winners entered. Ericsson could become the first driver to win it back-to-back since Hélio Castroneves in 2002. Or, perhaps a fairytale ending awaits the 2004 IndyCar champion Tony Kanaan, who will retire from racing at the chequered flag.

Team Penske, Chip Ganassi, McLaren and Andretti Autosport are among the front-runners but with this race, one can never rule out an outside bet taking victory.

It’ll be a blockbuster weekend for the sport, with the Monaco Grand Prix taking place just a few hours beforehand. So once the F1 is done, switch over to watch ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing’.

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Extreme E – Hydro X-Prix
Scotland, May 13-14

The electric off-road series returns to Britain, after visiting Dorset in 2021. This time, the championship heads to Scotland after an epic opening weekend in Saudi Arabia. Veloce and Sainz XE both won a race in the desert, while Rosberg X Racing looks strong after  two third-place finishes.

Formula 1 –  Monaco Grand Prix
Monte Carlo, Monaco, May 26-28

Formula 1 returns to the principality for its most prestigious race. Red Bull has won through the streets of Monaco for the past two years and after a victorious start to 2023 will be favourite to do so again. However, can Sergio Pérez find a way to beat his world champion team-mate Max Verstappen?

Isle of Man TT
Isle of Man, May 29-June 10

Motorcycling’s oldest and most dangerous race is once again set for two weeks of unparalleled drama. Riders face a daunting 37.7-mile public road circuit, which has toured the small island since 1907. A brave personality is required for this race, with Peter Hickman as its defending winner.

WRC – Rally Italia Sardegna
Sardinia, Italy, June 1-4

Round six takes the series to sunny Sardinia, which will be marking its 20th year on the calendar. A total of 208 miles of gruelling gravel stages await, where Sébastien Ogier has the chance to take a record-breaking eighth victory in Italy, after a couple of wins early in  the season for Toyota.

Formula E – Jakarta ePrix
Jakarta, Indonesia, June 3-4

FE returns to Indonesia for a second season. Drivers face a fast, 18-turn circuit where a lap of just over a minute took pole last year. It will be the 10th and 11th rounds of the season with Porsche leading the way in the championship.

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More events

May 14 – MotoGP – Le Mans, France
May 19-21 – Formula 1 – Imola, Italy
May 27-28 – British GT – Donington Park
June 3-4 – BTCC – Thruxton