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Formula 1 and IndyCar may both fall under the category of open-wheel racing, but the way each series operates and prioritizes different aspects of motorsport sets them far apart. From top speeds and horsepower to technical aids and audience reach, F1 and IndyCar follow distinct philosophies that shape the racing experience for teams, drivers, and fans.
Speed: Straight-Line vs. Cornering Prowess
IndyCar machines, powered by 2.2-liter twin-turbo V6 engines, can hit top speeds of around 240 mph on oval superspeedways. In contrast, Formula 1 cars—equipped with 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 hybrid engines—usually max out near 205 mph on road courses. Exceptional conditions, such as low downforce setups and high-altitude venues, have allowed F1 cars to reach up to 223.5 mph, like Sebastian Vettel at Monza and Sergio Perez in Mexico City in 2019.
But raw speed on the straights doesn’t tell the whole story. F1 cars are built with extreme downforce, enabling them to carry significantly higher speeds through corners. As a result, they tend to be faster over a full lap. A prime comparison came in 2019 at the Circuit of the Americas, where IndyCar’s Will Power took pole with a lap time of 1:46.017 (average speed of 115 mph), while F1’s Valtteri Bottas recorded a 1:32.029 (133.5 mph) at the same track later that year—over 14 seconds quicker.
Engineering Philosophy and Car Development
IndyCar emphasizes parity. All teams use the same Dallara chassis and can choose between engines from Honda or Chevrolet. This approach keeps costs down and competition close.
Formula 1, however, revolves around innovation. Teams build their own cars and develop unique aerodynamic packages and components. With four engine suppliers and highly varied designs, performance gaps across the grid can be wide. The trade-off? Enormous budgets and a constant technical arms race.
Horsepower and Performance Boosts
IndyCar engines produce between 600 and 750 horsepower, depending on the turbo boost setup. In contrast, F1 teams are typically tight-lipped about power figures, but back in 2019, Renault confirmed hitting the 1,000 horsepower mark by combining power from the internal combustion engine and hybrid systems. Other manufacturers—Ferrari, Mercedes, and Honda—are also believed to have reached this benchmark.
To aid overtaking, both series use unique driver-controlled systems. Formula 1 features the Drag Reduction System (DRS), introduced in 2011. When a driver is within one second of the car ahead, they can open a flap on the rear wing to reduce aerodynamic drag and increase top speed on designated straights.
IndyCar uses a push-to-pass button, launched in 2009, that temporarily delivers about 50 extra horsepower. Since 2017, drivers have been given a total of 200 seconds of additional power to use throughout a race, allowing for more flexible strategy and recovery from aborted overtaking attempts.
Audience and Popularity
As a U.S.-based series, IndyCar naturally has a smaller audience than the globally broadcast F1 World Championship. In 2019, IndyCar races averaged 5.45 million viewers across NBC’s platforms. F1, by contrast, saw a global average audience of 91.5 million per race, the highest cumulative viewership since 2012. Interestingly, both series experienced a 9% increase in viewers compared to the previous year.
Qualifying Formats: Strategy and Structure
F1’s qualifying sessions are structured in three knockout rounds: Q1, Q2, and Q3. All 20 drivers compete in Q1, and the slowest five are eliminated. The remaining 15 move on to Q2, and from there, the top 10 advance to Q3 for a final shootout to determine pole position.
IndyCar’s qualifying format varies based on the type of track. On road and street circuits, it includes two initial groups, followed by a “Fast 12” round and a final “Fast Six” session, where the top drivers compete for pole. On ovals, different procedures apply, often based on average lap times.
Two Worlds, One Passion for Speed
Despite their differences, both Formula 1 and IndyCar represent the peak of single-seater racing in their respective domains. While F1 pushes the boundaries of technical innovation and global competition, IndyCar brings fans a closer, more balanced fight on a wide variety of tracks. Together, they showcase the diverse and dynamic nature of top-tier motorsport.
