The Differences between Formula 1 and Nascar Racing Cars
Whilst there are a number of differences between Formula 1 racing cars and NASCAR racing cars, the key elements they have in common are that they are very fast and crowds from all over flock to see them.
Some of the differences lay in the mechanics of the cars on show. A Formula 1 racing car is very aerodynamically designed.
The driver sits very low to the ground and has very little room to move in the drivers seat.
The cars in Formula 1 are designed to have the absolute optimum combination of speed coupled with safety for the drivers.
NASCAR racing cars are what are known as "stock cars". They are very similar to the cars everyday people drive on the roads.
Whilst NASCAR cars are very specialized vehicles, with various safety components and speed-enhancing accoutrements in-built, they are still very much like your everyday car.
A Formula 1 racing car is strictly for racing. You could never drive it on a public road anywhere.
They are fast, and require highly specialized driving to drive them properly.
NASCAR cars also require very specialized driving skills, but are far easier to handle around a race track.
In Formula 1 racing, they race all around the world, with drivers hailing from such different and geographically separate areas as Australia, Asia, South America and Europe.
NASCAR is more strictly geared for North American audiences. They really race only in North America, particularly in the southern states of the USA.
The drivers are most North or South American in ethnicity and the oval tracks they race on are fairly unique to North America.
Formula 1 mostly race on street circuits, which really allows them to use the undulating corners and chicanes to generate speed and execute supreme driving skill.
Formula 1 cars have raced on oval NASCAR-type circuits in North America, but it's not done any longer. With Formula 1 set to return to the USA this year, they'll be racing on a street circuit and a purpose-built circuit in Texas.
Formula 1 cars are a little faster than NASCAR racing cars but there are far less cars in each race, usually only numbering just over 20 (compared to many more in a NASCAR race).
For this reason you see a lot less crashes in Formula 1, it's far safer for the drivers overall.
Money-wise, there's far more scope and money in Formula 1 because it's global, whereas NASCAR is really confined to North America.
A racing team in Formula 1 would number employees over 500, whereas in NASCAR it would only be about 100 or so.
Whilst there are a number of subtle differences, the facts are it takes highly specialized skill sets for drivers to succeed in both Formula 1 and NASCAR, and a lot of time training and understanding the dynamics of it all is something drivers from the two share in common.
Some drivers, such as South American Juan Pablo Montoya, have managed to drive both Formula 1 and NASCAR and be very successful in both, though that is quite uncommon.
The major thing they do share is that both types of cars are very, very fast.
