What is the difference between F1 & IRL Cars?

As of 2007:

some differences:

engine:

F1: 2.4L V-8 ~800HP, 19,000 rpm rev limit

IRL: 3.5L V-8, ~650HP, 10,300 rpm rev limit

fuel:

F1: gasoline

IRL: ethanol

underbody:

F1: flat

IRL: small ground effects "tunnel" generating downforce

brakes:

F1: Carbon pads and discs

IRL: metallic pads, steel discs

transmission:

F1: 7 speed semi auto with hydraulic paddle shifters

IRL: 6 speed sequential manual with stick shifter

tires:

F1: grooved

IRL: slicks

weight:

F1: 1330 LBS with driver

IRL: 1550 LBS without driver

driver aids:

F1: traction control, launch control, power steering

IRL: none, but some drivers testing power steering

similarities: both open wheel, open cockpit, mid engined, rear-wheel drive, carbon fiber monocoque chassis, front and rear wings

The major differences as people have pointed out is the attitude towards technology. F1 is supposed to be the pinnacle of motor racing technology, but the downside is that it's now really dull. To correct some of the things the guy above said about F1 cars.....the engines are actually 2.4 litre V8 and are rev limited to 19,000 r.p.m. The transmission isn't fully automatic either. It's a semi auto box. The driver has to actuate the shift via a paddle behind the steering wheel then the computer takes over and puts the car into the selected gear. The F1 car is also must weigh a minumum of 605 kg (including the driver) at all times. F1 cars don't run full slick tyres either. The tyres used must have 4 equally sized grooves in them and are supplied by a single manufacturer (Bridgestone) though this rule is to be changed next year. As much as indy cars by comparison seem a little basic, the racing is still much closer and this is proving to be a major F1 talking point at the minute. Some argue that technology is killing the sport while other don't wan't it "dumbed" down. Personally I'd like to see a reduction in technology in favour of good engineering and quality driving/racing.

Formula 1 cars cost ten times what IRL cars cost. They are bigger in every way, size, tires, engines, egos. IRL cars are trimmer, and demand more driver input. F1 cars follow each other, little position changing, drive on flat roads, gentle sweeping turns nothing to hit if they go off road. F1 drivers actually whined when they had to make sharper turns at Indy. IRL? Much more nerves are required with the side by side racing. But I do love open wheel racing, and I watch both.

mostly the wings and the engin packages. F1 cars need to handle and have grip on the tight windy road corses they run on and they have crazy engins that turn out at crazy RPMs to accelerate quick out of the turns. IRL cars do run on road corses but mostly on oval tracks wehre the wings dont have to be as needed (although they do play a vital role in keaping the cars on the ground at 220 mph) and the engins run at lower RPMs to max out their speed. if you really want to see the difference. take a picture of an F1 car and an Indy car and put them side by side and you will see less wings on the Indy car and even the tires are different. the concept of both of them are not so different but the way they perform and the different tracks they perform on are very different.

I would love to see an oval race in F1. maybe taking a right hand turn. that would be cool.

Basically, the F1 cars are lighter, quicker and more nimble. Much higher technology from top to bottom. Everything effort is about getting the car lighter and more aerodynamic.

The IRL cars are slower, bigger and much heavier (The bodies are designed to protect the driver in much heavier impacts. i.e. walls of ovals and superspeedways). The IRL cars are mostly designed to turn left (although they do now have road and street courses on their schedule) and go faster in circles, they were not designed with 14 turns and 30-40 shifts/brakings per lap.

The frame of an F1 is a little different, and its lighter and faster, IRL's are slower, heavier, and slower. But both beat out stock cars by far.

Have a look here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Panther2006.JPG for what a 2006 Indy Car looks like.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Fernando_Alonso... this is what a 2006 Formula One car looks like.

They're designed very differently, as you can see.

A lot. Check out Wikipedia for exact specifications.

1.F1 IS A CAR RACING SHOW IN WHICH ONLY FERRERI ARE ALLOWED

2. IRL-- IS A RACING BOARD WHO DECIDED THE RULES AND REGULATE THE RACING JUST LIKE CRICKET BOARD

i do not know but f1 take more turns that a indcar and has less laps