F1 vs Indy Car

[Tyre Smoke]

Following on from the 'How was 2013 for you?' thread, I was going to add this in there, but it's not really on topic.

How does F1 compare with Indy these days? I'm talking about all the driving to a delta, managing tyres, fuel strategies,etc.

Do they still refuel in Indy? I know there are fewer engine manufacturers and they all drive the same chassis (don't they?) so how does that affect the racing. Is there more overtaking than F1 - for position rather than 'let him through, different strategy...' and do the drivers have more input into how their race is run?

Could there be a bit of cross pollination between the two series to make F1 less predictable and 'managed'?

[2fast748]

Well Rubens Barrichello said IndyCar was boring to race because it was all about saving fuel so I think the 2 compare quite well - fast cars being driven slower than they should be due to artificial restrictions to make the racing "better"!

[marshall100]

Indycar has been far more entertaining to watch than F1 this year. Couldn't really pinpoint why, decent number of cars with varying driver abilities and no clear cut winner at most rounds.

Besides, you do tend to get a bit more close racing even though it inevitably ends in tears. I watched a race earlier this year with about three laps to run that had pile up written all over it. I wasn't wrong.

[Tyre Smoke]

Which is the way F1 is going, no?

[entropy]

Gaz. said:

I lost the will to live following Indycars a few seasons ago when they were crawling around to save fuel.

Mid Ohio was notorious for it so this year's race distance was extended so you had a mix of saving fuel vs. going flat out.

There were some other stand out races that are well worth watching if you haven't: Fontana, Indy, Brazil

[hornet]

entropy said:

Mid Ohio was notorious for it so this year's race distance was extended so you had a mix of saving fuel vs. going flat out.

There were some other stand out races that are well worth watching if you haven't: Fontana, Indy, Brazil

The Brazil race was a real highlight of the season for me. Last 20 or so laps are among the best I can recall from any series in many a year.

I've liked Indycar ever since it was tucked away at 4am on ITV, but in recent years it's gone from being "...as well as F1" to "instead of F1", as it's just a far more entertaining series to watch IMO. Certainly been through lean times recently, but the grid is as strong as it's been in many a year, there's a nice variety of tracks and usually local interest to cheer on. I think the thing I like most is that the little teams still stand a chance of winning if they're on their game, witness Sato winning for Foyt, or Conway winning for Dale Coyne. Ovals aren't for everyone, but who wasn't happy to see Ed Carpenter win for Sarah Fisher a few seasons back? Made for a great story. Add in the one-offs and the part season rides and I just think there's more potential stories in every race than in F1 of late.

[entropy]

hornet said:

The Brazil race was a real highlight of the season for me. Last 20 or so laps are among the best I can recall from any series in many a year.

I've liked Indycar ever since it was tucked away at 4am on ITV, but in recent years it's gone from being "...as well as F1" to "instead of F1", as it's just a far more entertaining series to watch IMO. Certainly been through lean times recently, but the grid is as strong as it's been in many a year, there's a nice variety of tracks and usually local interest to cheer on. I think the thing I like most is that the little teams still stand a chance of winning if they're on their game, witness Sato winning for Foyt, or Conway winning for Dale Coyne. Ovals aren't for everyone, but who wasn't happy to see Ed Carpenter win for Sarah Fisher a few seasons back? Made for a great story. Add in the one-offs and the part season rides and I just think there's more potential stories in every race than in F1 of late.

F1 has its share of lairy drivers but as someone mentioned earlier there is that expectation of something calamitous to happen.

I do wonder about the drivers who are going to replace the old guard.

[marshall100]

The calamity element comes from running stupendously close for lap after lap with the end of the race in sight. You constantly find yourself watching thinking 'one false move and it's curtains for all three of you'. And that's probably from drivers scrapping over something petty like 5th.

[entropy]

I hate double file restarts. It's an invitation for calamity, too gimmicky and belongs in NASCAR.

[jimbobsimmonds]

entropy said:

I hate double file restarts. It's an invitation for calamity, too gimmicky and belongs in NASCAR.

I watched the Euro NASCAR Series at Brands earlier this year. I must admit I do kinda agree with you but it did justify my decision to pay for Paddock Hill grandstand tickets with big stock cars coming 2 abreast on what is already a narrow track. Great fun!