IndyCar rules vs. Formula 1, explained: The biggest differences to know about the Indy 500

To the casual observer, IndyCar and Formula 1 races look pretty similar.

For one, they're both well-known racing organizations, where some of the biggest-name drivers out there compete for a full season. With open-wheel, single-seater cars and high speeds, IndyCar and F1 do have their similarities.

However, with a closer eye, you'll find that there are a whole lot of differences between the two racing organizations. From the way the cars are designed to the location of the races, IndyCar and F1 are differentiated in many ways.

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Here's a breakdown of the key differences between IndyCar and Formula One races.

MORE: 2025 Indy 500 qualifying results

IndyCar rules vs. Formula 1, explained

Car construction, weight

One of the biggest differences in the two racing platforms is the cars themselves. In IndyCar, all cars look almost exactly the same. That's because they're regulated with the exact same chassis and aerodynamic kit, which is provided by Dallara. As for engines, only two manufacturers are allowed. Because of that, drivers and their teams don't have to spend as much time developing and designing their cars, also meaning its cheaper and easier to join IndyCar than it would be F1.

As for F1, teams build their own chassis and have much more freedom in developing their car and engine. There are more technologically advanced cars and more diversity among F1 cars because of that freedom.

However, with the simplified aerodynamics for IndyCar cars — and the tracks often used — IndyCar drivers often hit higher speeds than F1, which designs its cars to emphasize the complicated tracks and sharper corners. IndyCar drivers have reached nearly 240 mph on their oval tracks, while F1 drivers usually hit top speeds around 220 mph on their road courses.

As for weight, IndyCar cars typically weigh between 748-766 kg, per the Music City Grand Prix, while F1 cars are around 798 kg.  While IndyCar cars favor speed and uniformity, F1 cars are more about uniqueness, technology, acceleration and strategy.

Engine manufacturers, power

For IndyCar, engines only come from either Chevrolet or Honda. On the other hand, F1 teams choose from more of a variety of manufacturers, including Mercedes, Honda, Ferrari and Renault.

More specifically, IndyCar uses 2.2L twin-turbocharged V6 engines, whereas F1 uses 1.6 liter, turbocharged V6 engines. According to Music City Grand Prix, F1 engines can reach a horsepower of 1,000, while IndyCar can get up to 900; F1 cars can also go 0-60 mph in around 0.4 seconds less than IndyCar cars. But because F1 cars are built for more complex circuits, they don't usually reach the kind of speeds that IndyCar cars do.

F1 cars also have power steering, while IndyCar cars do not. That makes it physically tougher for IndyCar drivers while in races. 

Mid-race refueling

One of the simplest differences between F1 and IndyCar is refueling. While IndyCar permits refueling during races, F1 does not. That makes fuel strategy a key component for IndyCar drivers. Those who can conserve fuel gain an advantage.

As for F1, that means that pit stops are solely focused on tire changes rather than refueling. It also means that F1 cars must have enough fuel for the entire race when they begin, making the car heavier. IndyCar drivers have an 18.5-gallon fuel tank.

When it comes to fuel type, IndyCar uses E85 (85% ethanol), while F1 uses E10 (10% ethanol).

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Tires

F1 uses Pirelli tires with differing compounds, including soft, medium and hard, for dry conditions. For wet conditions, it uses wet and intermediate tires. Mid-race strategy is about managing degradation based on which compound is being used. Tires often degrade faster in F1 than IndyCar. 

As for IndyCar, drivers use Firestone tires, having two different compounds (prime/black, or option/red) for dry conditions. They also use wet tires for wet conditions on road or street courses. IndyCar tires often go through less wear than F1.

Tracks

F1 races on both purpose-built and adapted road circuits, usually designed for more technical challenges at high speeds. There's more uniformity between various F1 tracks than there is for IndyCar. F1 does not race on oval circuits, a key difference to IndyCar.

Meanwhile, oval circuits are a central theme to IndyCar races, allowing for higher speeds. According to Music City Grand Prix, the average track length for IndyCar is 1.89 miles, while it's a longer 3.31 miles for F1, which also features much more turns on average.

Location

While IndyCar has gone into other countries before, it's largely based in the U.S. and Canada. With iconic races like the Indy 500 central to the brand in the United States, the 18-race 2025 IndyCar schedule includes 17 in the U.S. and one in Canada.

Formula One is much more of a global product. The 2025 season has 24 races across five continents and 21 countries, going from the United States, to Europe, Asia, etc. This year's F1 schedule began in Australia and will end in Abu Dhabi. Travel is another reason that F1 is more of an exclusivity for drivers, with higher demand and expenses throughout the season.

MORE: Why does the Indianapolis 500 winner drink milk?

Qualifying

In IndyCar, qualifying for races varies based on the event. In oval races, drivers go out one at a time, then the average between two timed runs is used for their qualifying time. In the Indy 500, there's a longer process, using a four-lap average speed over various rounds of qualifying to decide pole position. 

As for IndyCar road and street courses, the drivers go into qualifying in groups, and results are decided upon based on their best lap. Over two groups, the top six from each advance to the following round, then a final "Fast Six" is done to decide pole position.

In Formula 1, there are three sessions of qualifying. After the first, the five slowest drivers among 20 are dropped out. The same happens after Q2, making a field of 10 drivers for the final qualifying round. The fastest times in Q3 decide the order for the top-10 of the race.

Points system

Throughout an IndyCar season, a wide collection of points are given out. Winner of a race earn 50, second-place earns 40 and third-place earns 35, and the points decrease for each position until 25-through-33, which get five points each. One point is also given to the driver who wins pole position, except for at the Indy 500. Drivers also earn one point for leading at least one lap, and two points if they led for the most laps.

The Indy 500 serves as a double-point event for the IndyCar season. Points are also given out for the Indy 500 qualifying positions 1-through-9. By the end of the season, the driver with the most points wins the championship. Ties are broken with first-place finishes.

In F1, points are only given to drivers who finish between first and 10th. The winner of the race gets 25 points, second-place gets 18, third-place gets 15, fourth gets 12 points, then the rest decrease by two-point increments until 10th place gets one point. Another point is given to the driver and team who recorded the fastest lap as long as they finish in the top-10.

Like IndyCar, the F1 season champion is decided upon based on the points system, with ties broken by first-place finishes. However, the field size varies between the two organizations; F1 races almost always have 20 drivers, with 10 teams having two cars each, while IndyCar races vary from the 20s to 33 in the Indy 500. Both seasons run around the same time.

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Race time

In F1, races finish when the distance is reached, or when the race reaches two hours. That rule is in place so that if there's bad weather or long safety car periods, the race won't take a long time.

In IndyCar, it's more complicated; there are no time limits in oval races, taking as long as they need to reach the full distance. However, in street or road courses, there can be a two-hour limit if the race distance can't be reached, and IndyCar is allowed to change the time limit if they see fit. Because IndyCar drivers refuel during the race, pit stops add a bit of time for each driver as well.

Safety cars/yellow flags

Both IndyCar and F1 use safety cars to control speeds and regulate the risks when there's an accident on the track. In IndyCar, the safety car comes out to reduce speeds and allow debris to be cleared until the race can resume safely. F1 safety cars prioritize maintaining tire and engine temperatures.

There is more differences within yellow flags though, as IndyCar uses a full-course yellow, meaning the field bunches up as the safety car leads the field and the pits close. Yellow flags often factor into the strategy for IndyCar drivers to utilize pit stops.

In F1, there are either single or double yellow flags based on the severity of the risk. A double yellow flag requires more drastically reduced speeds. There can also be a virtual safety car, allowing drivers to continue racing without a pace car while reducing speed, although F1 does have a physical safety car if necessary. The pits do not have to be closed for a yellow flag in F1.

History

F1's roots go back to the European Grand Prix championships in the 1920s and 1930s. The modern organization was established in 1946, and the World Championship of Drivers followed in 1950. Over time, technological developments have altered how F1 races are conducted and how the cars are designed.

Meanwhile, IndyCar's origins go back to its most famous race, the Indy 500, which began in 1911. However, the current iteration of IndyCar began in 1996 as the Indy Racing League, later adopting "IndyCar Series" in 2003 and just "IndyCar" in 2008.