Gee,... how deep shall we get into this discussion? There are a few false
statements that were made in the preceding messages, and I couldn't
resist clearing up the confusion (at the risk of adding to it).
F1 engines are actually bigger than Indy engines (3.0 litres versus
2.85+-, if remember correctly), but Indy engines are turbocharged (with
limited boost). Horsepower figures are scarce and the ones that do exist
are vague, but it is generally thought that F1 engines produce 700 - 780
horsepower; Indy engines produce around 800+. The F1 engine typically has
much better throttle response due to it's non-turbocharged nature (ie.
instantaneous), whereas Indy engines have a small lag in throttle
response and the power is not produced in such a linear form, due to the
turbocharged nature. What this means is that an F1 car would have quick
acceleration throughout it's rev range and be very quick off slow
corners; Indycars produce lots of power when staying at high revs (on an
oval, especially superspeedways), but when they drop speeds for slow
corners, turbo boost drops and they experience more of a lag upon exiting
the corner. Still very quick, just slower than an F1 car. (note: F1 used
to allow turbos and in the Late 80's a turbocharged 1.5 litre F1 engine
produced 1000+ HP, but they were phased out in favor of normally
aspirated engines).
F1 cars are signifficantly lighter than Indycars; I cant remember the
exact figures, but I think an F1 car weighs about 1200 lbs, which is
around 3/5ths of an Indycar's weight. Naturally this means that the F1
car has less momentum to fight against so it is quicker in its
acceleration, braking, and cornering. Several other factors come into
play here also, but just think of an F1 car as a much lighter, more agile
race car.
F1 teams must build their own car (Don't ask me what the deal is on the
Ligier/Benetton, I don't understand exactly how they get around this),
Indycars are made by factories and purchased by the teams (with the
exception of Roger Penske and Dan Gurney, who choose to build his own).
Engines are either leased from the manufacturer or provided to the team
free of charge (usually the case with the better, "factory" teams) in
both leagues. Ferrari F1 are the exception in that they produce their own
engine .
Tire regulations differ in each series also.
F1 does have two-way radio communication between the pits and the driver,
just like Indycar. We don't get to here the communication on the TV
coverage, and frankly I can't blame them (the teams) - if I was spending
$200+ million to field my F1 team, I wouldn't want anyone listening in to
my strategy discussions either. It is there, it just isn't openly
disclosed like it is in Indycar.
Besides that, there are many more regulations which dictate car
dimensions and equipment regulations for each series, which I won't bore
you with here. Suffice to say that the primary difference lies in the
weight, dimensions, downforce regulations and power supplies.
If I have made any mistakes, please correct me. The numbers above are
from memory and sometimes my memory ain't that good. I have been a fan
for almost 15 years now and have absorbed much from the sport, but I'm
sure many of you can elaborate on what I've said above.
Paul
