What is Faster F1 or Sports ?

[Steve Ryan 0]

Hi Guys,

I am new here but have been a bit of an F1 fan for years.

I was really hoping you guys could resolve a big dispute I have with my brother.

Which cars are Faster Formula 1 or Le Mans Sports Cars ?

I need some definitive proof. I have scoured the web and it is really hard to find a definitive answer to this question.

Simply put would an F1 Ferrari beat an Audi R8 on the same track with a driver of similar talent ?

[nichosnz 0]

Well here is a bit of a comparisoin of fastest laps on the same circuits in 2002

.............................F1....................Sports Cars

Catalunya...............1:20.355..........1:35.161

Magny-Cours..........1:15.045..........1:29.780

Spa........................1:47.176..........Rain

But I think it is clear from Cataluna and Magny-Cours that F1 is faster. No Audi's competed at these races but their Le Mans competitors did and Audi are not 15 seconds a lap faster.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

First up, welcome aboard mate! Stick around!

Depending on the place, an Audi R8 may be quicker. But that is only as the Le Mans contenders can reach higher top speeds (I believe, at least they used to) than the F1 cars. But an F1 car is unbeatable through corners, because they literally seem to stick to the track whereas a Le Mans car does not produce that amount of grip. This was seen in the direct comparison of F1 and CART as well, where F1 blasted away through corners but CART caught up a bit on straights.

[Steve Ryan 0]

Thanks lads.. I have done a heap of research.

It seem the shape of the Sports cars is more conducive to top speed but the F1 cars are fare more powerful.

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Definitely, and without the restrictions I'll bet BMW could yank a 1000 horsepower out of a 3-litre engine! There is so much aerodynamic grip produced by the cars though that it limits their top speeds, though David Coulthard has topped 376kmh at the old Hockenheim only two years ago, and that isn't the fastest speed trap set!

The grip though is fantastic, at only 90mph an F1 car would stick to the roof should it be in a tunnel (such as in the original Men In Black movie )

[nichosnz 0]

Maybe the Monacan GP can be altered to accomodiate that....lol. I think an F1 car would win on any circuit though, with the exception of a no brakes oval.

[rodders47 2]

Hi Nichos,

Wow those times surprise me !!! I was always of the understanding that the can am type sports cars were way ahead of the F1 purely because of the aerodynamics.. Gotta say I am surprised......

In the 1/5th racing it sure is reversed 1/5th F1 cars are miles slower then their saloon bodied opponents... and this is more pronounced in the 1/8th balistic model cars the can am bodies are miles ahead..

Oh just to let you know Nichos had a race last w/end and I blew the socks of em all even $5000 model car vareties Made a few changes to my old dog and it paid off heaps was the next best thing to S.............x LOL

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

Rod if a 1/5th world championship ever kicks off you'll be in a great spot

[nichosnz 0]

Newer is not always better is it Rod

[rodders47 2]

Hi Jens well there has been for a while now a 1/5th scale world championship um sorry to admit that I would be in the also rans at that those guys are very very good and their equipment is rated at the top like all championships .. But hell I would love to watch a worl champ race in 1/5th LOL

[TotalF1 Jens 0]

LOL Would be nice to see one of the races aired on TV or something, it would at the least be, uhh, different!

[rodders47 2]

Hi Jens,

YES different is not the word , I think if the viewing audience was to watch a 1/5th championship race on TV they would be glued to the set, it has it's ups and downs like all racing but is very very close racing , No telemetary etc etc etc , just driver and pit crew setup AND no refueling in a 30 minute race or TYRE changes so is down to the driver to conserve his car to the finish,, PURE racing like it USED to be :-)