What drives the superiority complex of F1 over other types of racing ie Nascar?
For instance, I read often that NASCAR drivers are not talented because they race in ovals and not road courses. But old rednecks like Lake Speed who won only one NASCAR race demolished in a go cart series a great driver named Ayrton Senna. JP Montoya is a proven winner although not Schumacher and yet has struggled in stock cars. Please help me understand how F1 drivers are so vastly superior to stock car drivers in a pure talent argument. I feel that the cars in F1 are so advanced with the alloy engines, sophisticated braking systems and overall lightness, that they would be easier to drive because you can brake so much later in entering a turn etc. Center of gravity is so low that handling is not an issue whereas a stock car is like driving a sled. IMO it takes more skill to drive such an antiquated racing vehicle.
Tags: ayrton senna, braking systems, cart series, center of gravity, f1 drivers, go cart, imo, lake speed, montoya, nascar, nascar drivers, nascar race, ovals, proven winner, rednecks, schumacher, senna, sled, stock car drivers, stock cars
April 15th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Well if the F1 cars are so sophisticated, then being off by just a little will really screw you and your team…no margin for error. They also experience much more force on their bodies through the acceleration, braking, and cornering G's and forces. Therefore, the advanced equipment makes them harder to drive. The race tracks are harder, and the sport seems more dangerous overall. The drivers are smaller and in better physical shape as a testament to how much weight and condition matters in these cars compared to NASCAR, where someone like Jimmy Spencer can roll out the window and run straight for the hot dog cart.
All this being said though, It would take drivers from either series a long transition period into the other. Both have been doing what they do for so long that they have become great, and the change suddenly would throw a wrench into everything. Some drivers from NASCAR i feel could be successful given the seat time and transition period. An example of that would be Jeff Gordon.
A big drawback to both of them is the quality and competition of the vehicles. NASCAR has Hendrick, RCR, and Roush, while F1 this year has Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW Sauber. The gap between the quality of teams is huge, and even the best driver cannot compete in a bad machine.