Formula 1 vs. IndyCar vs. NASCAR — What are the differences?
Formula 1 or Formula One (F1), Nascar and Indycar all have the same concept — a group of cars race around a track as fans look on in anticipation for the checkered flag to drop. However, it’s clear just by watching these races that there is a distinction between the three.
Visually, there are differences that can be immediately pointed out between NASCAR and the other two variations. NASCARs are sedan-styled vehicles while the F1 and Indy cars feature open wheels and an open cockpit.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In this article I will share a comprehensive list of differences between these three formats of racing.
THE CARS
Beyond their appearance, the vehicles for IndyCar, Formula One, and NASCAR races differ quite a bit on the inside, too.
Engines
NASCAR’s Car of Tomorrow uses a gasoline-powered V-8 engine. Indy and F1 cars are designed with V-6 turbo engines. Indycars use Turbo Methanol for fuel, and F1 cars use gasoline.
If you’re interested in learning how an F1 engine works, click here! (How an F1 Engine Works)
Chassis
Separating F1 from the other two forms of racing is the fact that the team is responsible for designing and building the chassis instead of buying the chassis from suppliers. The chassis of NASCAR cars is called the Car of Tomorrow and looks similar to a sedan. IndyCars use a Dallara chassis, which has an open cockpit and more aerodynamic wheels.
Additionally, the down force from aerodynamics, “ground effect” is restricted in both Indy and Formula One car. However, as the effect can’t be eliminated, there are standard set of rules that make these cars use minimum ground effect or down force.
F1 and IndyCar chassis also differ in weight significantly. F1 cars are 1,300lbs at a minimum, and the Indy cars weigh 1,550 lbs at least. Hence, when it comes to weight, F1 cars are much lighter than Indy cars and that is an advantage when it is about achieving speed.
Check out this great debate on whether an F1 car can drive upside down!
Speed
If it’s top speeds you’re looking for, F1 tops out at over 230 mph, but IndyCar is known for averaging around 235–240 mph. Nascar, while no slouch, tops out at “only” 200mph. However, when it comes to racing, acceleration can make or break a lead, and an F1 car’s ability to reach 90 mph within 2.1 seconds means it would be able to smoke an IndyCar on a short track. IndyCar may have top speed, but F1 cars have the advantage of reaching theirs much quicker.
Both F1 and IndyCar are equipped with a push-to-pass / Drag Reduction Systems that gives the car a quick boost of speed when a racer is just behind a competitor; the additional speed aids in overtaking and makes the race more fun to watch.
When you factor in both top speed and acceleration into the equation, many would argue that Formula 1 vehicles are the fastest of the three. Because of their lighter construction and better acceleration, it’s likely that an F1 cars would win in a head-to-head race.
THE RACE
Race Start
When it comes to the start of the race, for an F1 circuit, you’ll want to be in your seat before the on-track action begins. Unlike NASCAR and IndyCar, F1 regulations state that races start immediately while the former have a series of warm-up laps before the green flag flies.
Overtaking and going wheel-to-wheel
During the race itself, because NASCAR vehicles race on an oval track, they can get pretty close to each other. Sometimes, they’re scraping against each other. That’s where the real entertainment comes in. F1 and IndyCar drivers are not allowed to bump other cars. In NASCAR, if it ain’t rubbin’, it ain’t racin’. Drivers bully through a vast swarm, and if you start at the back, you might still finish first. However, because of the way that Formula One designers make F1 cars aerodynamically efficient, with pointy bits and rude noses to slice the air, the cars create a lot of “wake”, which makes life harder for the cars behind. In effect, this makes overtaking very difficult in F1.
Pit-stops
Pit-stops are where F1 sets itself apart. Formula 1 crew can change 4 tires in as fast as 1.9 seconds!!! Yes, you read that correctly.
IndyCar and NASCAR have come a long way recently but changing 4 tires in IndyCar takes about 6–10 seconds and NASCAR takes roughly 16 seconds. F1 pitstops are 4–6 seconds on average.
Interested in learning more how pitstops compare across the different sports?
Race Length
In terms of length, the shortest is Formula One, which takes less than two hours. The longest of them, the NASCAR race, can take just under four hours to complete.
In terms of laps, Nascar races run over 330 laps while IndyCar races, like the Indianapolis 500, can average around 200 laps and Formula 1 races are under 100 laps.
Racing season
If you’re looking for longevity out of the race season, you’re probably going to want to follow NASCAR as it typically features more races per season. Since 2001, the Cup Series has been comprised of over 36 races compared to F1’s Grand Prix series of 21 and IndyCar’s 17. All three racing platforms use a points based system per race to crown a champion for the season. While these are fundamentally similar, the specifics vary.
In NASCAR, the first-place finisher is awarded 40 points while in F1 and IndyCar, the winner of each race is awarded 25 and 50 points, respectively. Pointes awarded then decrease based on a racer’s finishing position. In IndyCar, an additional point is handed out to drivers that lead at least one lap and two points for the driver that leads the most laps. In F1, an additional point is awarded to the driver with the fastest lap.
LOCATION
NASCAR, much like IndyCar, is only an American racing event (some might even say they are regional sports because their fanbase is predominantly in the Southern US). Formula One Grand Prix races, however, take place across the globe in 5 continents and therefore supports a more global fanbase. Considering NASCAR and Indycar are based in the States, it’s not a surprise that most drivers are American. Since F1 is global, it has drivers from all over the world.
HISTORY
Even taking into account IndyCar’s dual-heritage with the Indy Racing League (established 1996) and ChampCar (which had its inaugural season in 1979), F1 has the American series beaten hands down.
Since 1950, the Formula One World Championship has run under the same moniker (although it did not initially take in races outside of Europe, save for token appearances at the Indianapolis 500). However, if we’re to incorporate every iteration of each type of racing, Grand Prix racing can be traced back to the end of the 19th century.
Nascar originated in the late 1940s with its first race being held in Daytona Beach.
PRESTIGE
The Monaco Grand Prix and Indianapolis 500 make up two-thirds of global motorsport’s unofficial “Triple Crown” (the other being the Le Mans 24 Hours). Nascar on the other hand does not have a marquee race that is as well know. Arguably, this makes F1 and IndyCar more prestigious.
BUDGET
In total, the cost of fielding one NASCAR car is estimated to be about $25 million, which includes all the modifications it will need during its lifetime. That’s slightly more expensive than an IndyCar, which averages $15 million. However, these figures pale in comparison to fielding a 2-car F1 team, which can cost up to $470 million.
Drivers
Driver Compensation
F1 Drivers are far more well paid than their counterparts in Nascar and IndyCar which allows F1 to attract top talent. Lewis Hamilton, the highest earning driver earns $40m a year vs. top Nascar and IndyCar drivers who make less than $10m a year in salary and bonuses.
Drivers that crossed-over
One of the easiest ways to compare the ability of drivers across the sports is to look at the track record of those who crossed-over. Ultimately those who have flirted with F1 have done so with below-par teams and have had little success.
Take Sebastien Bourdais, for example. Four times a IndyCar title winner, his transition to F1 was ultimately very unsuccessful (even if he was axed in haste) and he struggled to score points in an uncompetitive Toro Rosso.
Justin Wilson, IndyCar race winner and a Formula 3000 champion no less, also struggled in F1. On the other hand, Juan Pablo Montoya tasted success when he left Formula 1 to race in the U.S. He has twice won the Indy 500. Examples such as these have led many to believe that F1 is more challenging and requires better drivers.
For an on-track comparison, consider when Lewis Hamilton and Tony Stewart did a car swap.
SPOILER ALERT: Hamilton did competitive times in the Chevy compared to Stewart, whereas Stewart was some way off the pace in the McLaren.
If you’re interested in A Nascar driver’s view of F1, this is a good read
