When F1 gains 14 seconds per lap on an IndyCar
The Circuit of the Americas in Austin was the scene of a remote comparison between two categories of motorsport. On one side, F1 and on the other, IndyCar. The timing result is clear, F1 is 14 seconds faster on the same track. Explanations.
Looking back on a comparison dating from 2019 in Austin, Texas.
The Circuit of the Americas hosts the 2nd round of the IndyCar championship on its longest track, identical to the one used by Formula 1 since 2012.
At the end of the qualifying session, Will Power from Team Penske achieved the best time of 1’46″017. This performance will allow him to start from pole position the next day for the race. The latter was won by American Colton Herta from the Hardling Racing team.
Still on the same Austin circuit, Valtteri Bottas in his Mercedes sets the fastest time in qualifying for the 19th GP of the season with 1’32″029.
The difference in time between the best performances of an IndyCar and an F1 on the same track is 13 seconds and 988 milliseconds, or nearly 14 seconds.
This striking difference in time may seem surprising given that both championships represent the pinnacle of single-seater racing worldwide. However, the gap is easy to explain.
Why such a difference in performance?
The standardization of parts:
The IndyCar series has chosen the path of standardizing parts to lower costs, whereas each F1 team develops its parts and tries to innovate within the limits of the regulations.
An ultimate aerodynamics in F1:
The choice of limitless development explodes expenses but also allows for extraordinary performance gains. Aerodynamics is one of the aspects that have significantly improved the performance of modern F1 cars. Everything suggests that F1 cars from the 2020 era are and will remain the fastest on the clock for many years. Indeed, the adverse effect of ultimate aerodynamics, commonly known as “dirty air,” hinders on-track battles. The next generation of F1 cars, on track from 2022, should logically lose aerodynamic downforce and therefore performance with the return of ground effect.
A significant budget difference:
While an IndyCar season is estimated at 20 million euros, a Formula 1 season can cost more than 500 million euros.
Beyond logistics and development, the salaries of drivers also differ with a range of $500,000 to $3 million in IndyCar.
In F1, salaries range from $150,000 to $57 million (Lewis Hamilton’s salary in 2019 according to Forbes).
