Formula 1 and NASCAR are two of the world’s oldest and most prestigious motorsport series. Naturally, the passion surrounding these championships is enormous. To this day, European and American fans debate which series reigns supreme — F1 or NASCAR.
Each series has its advantages and disadvantages, but why is NASCAR seen as so much less sophisticated than F1? Is it a perception problem, or the reality of racing in America’s most popular motorsport?
And most importantly: which league is truly supreme?
What Sets NASCAR Apart From F1?
16 years ago, British motorsport engineer Steve Hallam may have provided the best answer to this never-ending debate.
Hallam, who worked in both Formula 1 and NASCAR, acknowledged that the latter hardly gets any recognition in Europe, mainly due to its lack of sophistication.
When asked whether F1 drivers are better than NASCAR drivers, Hallam gave an unbiased response. He told Auto123:
“All great drivers have a unique talent. It is extremely difficult to define what it is. It makes them exceptional in various aspects. Here in the Sprint Cup, we have about 15 to 20 drivers that are really good, and a couple that are exceptional.
“There’s interest from NASCAR drivers towards F1. Unfortunately, the opposite is not true. Europeans don’t realize how different racing is here. Not only that, I think they don’t know it’s happening,” Hallam added.
He explained that despite the lack of sophistication, NASCAR is known for putting on a good show for fans, unlike F1, which emphasizes strict rules and a technology-driven approach.
“A good show is not always linked to the level of technology involved. The Sprint Cup cars are not highly sophisticated but they produce a fantastic show. One of the reasons for that is the telecast. The TV explains everything,” he said.
“And if you look at the garages here, the cars are placed side by side. Two competitors are placed one beside each other. Nothing can be hidden. That’s why the racing is so competitive. I called this ‘reverted engineering.’ You see certain things on other cars, and you have to understand it before you can apply it on your own cars.”
Formula 1 has started to adopt some of NASCAR’s approach, thanks to its American owners, Liberty Media. The sport is also attracting more American fans, leading to additional races in the United States, including Miami and Las Vegas.
As Formula 1 continues to expand it’s reach into the United States, and as NASCAR continues to push the limits of motorsport popularity, the debate over which league is superior is sure to rage on.