There have been threads in the past asking about whether a Formula 1 car is faster than a CART car or vice-versa. The consensus has been that there's no easy basis for comparison because they're designed for different circuits. That's all changed.

In August, CART will be staging a race at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the same course as was used for the recently run (F1) Canadian Grand Prix. Running on an identical course, the comparisons will be inevitable. Here's an article:

http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/020619/80/d1inq.html

 

sweet!

 

I had that date circled ever since they released the schedule.

 

I used to follow CART when Jacques Villeneuve was in the league. When he went over to F1, I slowly started watching less and less. I've been following F1 religiously since around 1985. I am going to make a point of watching this race though.

Thanks for posting it, I did not know about it.

 

An excellent article, Bill.

 

According to Cristiano Da Matta who tested the Toyota F1 car during May the F1 car accelerates much faster in the lower gears and brakes incredibly better. At higher speeds the CART car starts to catch up due to less drag. I am guessing he is comparing the F1 car to a CART car in road course trim, and certainly a speedway CART setup would have even less drag due to smaller wings at both ends (depending on the lenght of the track for which it is prepared).

Apparently the underbody of the flat-bottom F1 car creates more overall drag than the ground effect tunnels in the CART car. But due to the major factor brakes play at Circuit Gilles Villenueve I would be very sure the F1 car would be quite a bit quicker. Should be a good race, however, as there doesn't seem to be anyone standing above the crowd as much as Schumacher does in F1. Despite the fact Da Matta is winning al ot on the road courses.....

 

I thought the track would be slightly modified for the CART race, differently than the F1 race...anyone can confirm this?

 

Nope, the same.

 

Guaranteed that the F1 cars lap the circuit AT LEAST 4 seconds quicker than the CART cars.

 

I think you're right. I think the stadium section will be slightly modified, but I'm not sure though.