Rookie Alexander Rossi wins the 100th Indy 500

Rookie Indy driver and former Manor F1 racer Alexander Rossi stunned the 400,000 spectators – and the field of 32 other competitors – assembled at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway to win the 100th edition of the Indy 500 on Saturday.

Capitalising on other teams’ need to stop for fuel in the final stages of the race, the California-born Rossi catapulted his Andretti Honda up to the top step of the podium having begun the race 11th on the grid. Taking the chequered flag with nothing more than fumes left in his 18.5-gallon tank, the 24-year-old became the first rookie to win at 'The Brickyard' since Helio Castoneves in 2001.

“There are few words to truly describe how I’m feeling right now," said a delighted Rossi afterwards. "I really was focused on taking it one lap at a time - the emotional roller coaster of this race is ridiculous. There were moments I was really stoked, really heartbroken, really stoked. We rolled the dice and came through and made it happen.

"This is unbelievable and I have no doubt it’s going to change my life. But we did it, and I have to say a huge heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported me.”

Rossi had set the fastest lap of the race with an average speed of 225.228mph at one point, although his pace dropped to as low as 180mph in an unlikely - but, ultimiately successful - attempt to extend his final stint around the 2.5-mile oval as rivals opted for a 'splash and dash' strategy. Taking the lead with just four of the 200 laps left to go, Rossi coasted round and crossed the line with less than five seconds to spare as the freshly-fuelled chasers failed to reel in the American debutant.

Teammate Carlos Munoz came second and Ed Carpenter Racing's Josef Newgarden finished third, while championship leader Simon Peganaud could only manage 19th for Team Penske.

For Rossi though, victory could change the direction of his fledgling career, provided that he can make the most of the acclaim that comes with winning the 110lb Borg-Warner Trophy. In such an historic year for a race that was first contested in 1911, he becomes the 70th person to win what is no doubt the heaviest and tallest piece of silverware in motorsport.

Not bad for a driver who - according to team boss Michael Andretti - had "no idea" what oval racing involved when he signed up for the IndyCar series back in February.