The two highest levels of open-wheel racing in the world are IndyCar and Formula 1. Every race weekend, both series produce thrilling action on the track with elite levels of speed and skill on display. Despite the fact that the two categories appear to be similar from the outside, each has its own unique characteristics that distinguish it from the other. While IndyCar has devoted fans in the United States, Formula 1 is the more popular of the two with a global following. For each race, millions of people tune in to both shows.
Both single-seater series produce various vehicles, have various guidelines and guidelines, race on various tracks, and have various arrangements.
5) Costs
An IndyCar program can approach $10 million for every vehicle, while F1 has an expense cap breaking point of $135 million for each group, which incorporates two vehicles.
IndyCar has one chassis supplier and two engine manufacturers—Honda and Chevrolet. Because no money is spent on the research and development of these sourced parts, this restricts each team’s spending.
The majority of F1 teams’ budgets are allocated to car R&D, which continues throughout the season. It costs more for each team to develop and test these car parts in-house.
4) Tracks
While IndyCar races on many circuits, F1 is restricted to reason fabricated tracks and road races.
The IndyCar driver races on undulating street courses, road circuits, short ovals, and high velocity ovals. A driver needs to dominate this large number of assortments of tracks the series races on.
Formula 1 generally races intentionally constructed tracks and downtown road circuits. With the inaugural Las Vegas GP scheduled for November of this year, the latter has been gaining popularity in Formula One in recent years.
3) Power Units
The power units that drive the single-seaters in IndyCar and Formula One are vastly distinct. The mixture power unit in F1 is fit for creating more than 1000hp while IndyCar motors produce around 50% of the sum.
Each team in IndyCar picks an engine manufacturer from Honda or Chevrolet. They supply 2.2-liter twin-turbocharged V6 motors equipped for creating 550bhp – 700bhp.
A highly effective hybrid power unit is provided by Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and RBPT, manufacturers of engines for Formula 1. It has a battery that stores regenerative power and a 1.6-liter turbocharged V6 engine.
F1 power units are complicated with different parts like the Gas powered Motor, MGU-K, MGU-H, Control Gadgets (CE), Energy Store (ES), and fumes.
1) Format
12 full-time IndyCar teams compete in 17 races with one to six cars each. There are typically between 24 and 25 drivers on the starting grid, with additional entries for the prestigious Indy 500 race.
The most important IndyCar race now has 33 competitors on the grid. The series does not have a constructors championship because the driver with the most points wins. Owners of IndyCar teams are rewarded with the championship.
In contrast, 10 teams in Formula 1 compete in 23 races all over the world, each with two competitors. In order to win the Drivers Champion title and the Constructors Champion title if they finish the season with the most points, drivers and teams accumulate points in each race.