Here are the key differences between F1 and IndyCar in 2024

Formula One and IndyCar are the highest levels of open-wheel racing in the world. F1 competes worldwide, and IndyCar competes in North America.

The 2024 IndyCar schedule includes 17 points-paying races, starting on the streets of St. Petersburg, Fla., in March, and finishing on the streets of Nashville on Sept. 15. Races are run on downtown streets, road courses and oval speedways. The series will run a non-points race at the Thermal (Calif.) Club on March 24.

The 2024 F1 schedule includes 24 races in 21 nations/principalities, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix in March and finishing with the Abu Dahbi GP on Dec. 8. Most races are on road courses, though some are on downtown streets (Monaco, Las Vegas). F1's increased popularity in the United States is evidenced by three races in 2023: in Miami on May 5; Austin, Texas, on Oct. 18, and Las Vegas, on Nov. 23.

When is the Indy 500?

The 200-lap race on the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval is scheduled for Sunday, May 26, 2024. That's the same day of F1's premier race of the season, on the streets of Monaco. Josef Newgarden is the defending Indy 500 champion. Max Verstappen's win at Monaco was of 19 for him in 2023.

Can IndyCar drivers go to F1?

Several current IndyCar drivers previously raced in F1 ‒ including Indy 500 champions Takuma Sato, Alexander Rossi and Marcus Ericsson, as well as Romain Grosjean. It hasn't worked the other way around recently, though Alex Palou, Colton Herta and Pato O'Ward are eager to try. O'Ward is a McLaren reserve F1 driver in 2024.

IndyCar drivers Marcus Armstrong and Christian Lundgaard have raced in F2, one level down from F1.

IndyCar vs. F1 salary

IndyStar has reported that Pato O'Ward will earn $2 million more in his current contract with Arrow McLaren through 2025, but that includes pay for his work as McLaren's F1 reserve driver.

IndyStar reported in 2021 that 2009 Indianapolis 500 champion Scott Dixon had a salary in the $3.5 million-$4.5 million range, the highest in the series at the time. A more common pay structure among the series' drivers is that they must bring millions of dollars of sponsorship to their team, and they get a cut of it, and they could get performance bonuses.

Reports say F1 driver salaries range from $1 million to Max Verstappen's $45 million base with $25 million in potential bonuses. Lewis Hamilton, who reportedly makes $45 million-$55 million with Mercedes this year, is moving to the Ferrari team in 2025, where he could reportedly make up to $100 million.

IndyCar vs. F1 popularity

NBC Sports, IndyCar's flagship network, reported that races averaged 1.32 million viewers in 2023, up slightly from the previous year. The Indianapolis 500 drew 4.92 million, also up slightly from 2022.

ESPN reported that F1 averaged 1.11 million viewers per race in the United States in 2023, down about 10% from the previous year. F1 reportedly had a global average of 70 million viewers per race in 2023, down slightly.

IndyCar vs. F1 car size

IndyCar dimensions: 1,650-1,690 pounds, depending on track (lightest on speedways); about 40 inches tall; about 76 inches wide; tires are 15 inches in diameter. IndyCar machines use E85 fuel (85% ethanol) and a tank holds 18.5 gallons.

F1 car dimensions: Minimum weight 1,755 pounds; about 37 inches tall; about 78 inches wide; tires are 18 inches in diameter. F1 cars use fuel with 10% ethanol and a tank holds 28.6 gallons.

IndyCar plans to debut a hybrid engine in 2024

After the 2024 Indy 500, IndyCar plans to debut a 2.2-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 engine with an energy recovery system that will build an energy bank from drivers braking. IndyCar has been planning the hybrid engine for several years, but the COVID pandemic and supply chain issues have delayed implementation.

Are Indy cars faster than F1?

An IndyCar machine produces 550-750 horsepower, with a top speed over 240 mph on the straightaways at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Alex Palou's pole qualifying speed for the 2023 Indy 500 was 234.217 mph over 4 laps on the 2.5-mile oval. Cars go from 0-200 mph in about 8 seconds.

F1 cars can produce 1,000 horsepower. Daniel Ricciardo ran F1's top speed in 2023, hitting 219.8 mph in a qualifying session. F1 cars can top 220 mph, but rarely hit that because the races are on road or downtown street courses that rarely have long straightaways. Cars go from 0-200 mph in about 4 seconds.

IndyCar vs. F1 costs

IndyCar programs can run in the range of $7 million-$11 million per car. The series has two engine manufacturers (Honda and Chevrolet) and one chassis maker (Dallara). F1 has a cost ceiling of $135 million per two-car team per year, but those teams make, develop and test their machines.

IndyCar schedule 2024

Formula 1 2024 schedule

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: IndyCar vs. Formula One: Drivers, car size, salary, popularity, costs