Formula 1 and IndyCar may look similar at first glance — but the differences run deep. From car design and race formats to driver salaries, safety, speed, and strategy, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about what truly separates Formula 1 from IndyCar.

In this episode of Reading the Grid, Erin and Inna deliver the ultimate beginner-friendly and fan-approved guide to open-wheel racing’s two biggest championships. Whether you’re new to motorsport or a longtime fan, this episode explains how F1 and IndyCar differ in tracks, budgets, technology, rules, pit stops, driver development, and racing culture.

We also dive into:

• Why IndyCar races on ovals — and F1 doesn’t
• How fast these cars really go
• The difference in qualifying formats
• Why F1 drivers need Super Licenses
• The Indy 500 vs Monaco Grand Prix — motorsport’s ultimate showdown
• Which series is faster, safer, and more physically demanding

If you’ve ever wondered “What’s the difference between Formula 1 and IndyCar?” — this is your complete guide.

🎧 Subscribe to Reading the Grid for weekly deep dives into Formula 1, racing history, motorsport culture, and everything fueling your F1 obsession.

Welcome back to Reading the Grid — your guide to Formula 1.

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into one of motorsport’s most iconic rivalries as we review Ford vs. Ferrari (2019), the racing drama that chronicles Ford’s all-out attempt to end Ferrari’s dominance at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. While the film isn’t Formula 1, its themes of rivalry, innovation, ego, and obsession hit especially close to home for F1 fans — particularly as Ford prepares to return to the grid in 2026.

We break down what the movie gets right, what feels more Hollywood than history, and why Christian Bale’s Ken Miles stands out as one of motorsport’s most compelling figures. From 1960s racing technology and Le Mans lore to modern F1 parallels, we explore how this story lands differently when viewed through a Formula 1 lens.

Then we shift gears into one of the paddock’s most revealing moments: the F1 Secret Santa gift exchange. We’re judging the most thoughtful gifts, the most confusing choices, the worst reactions, and the drivers who perfectly embodied peak F1 personality — because in Formula 1, even a gift exchange can spark chaos.

This episode sets the tone for Season 2: smarter breakdowns, deeper context, and a modern take on Formula 1 — without the gatekeeping.

It’s the Season 1 Finale of Reading the Grid — and we’re closing out the 2025 Formula 1 season the only way that feels right: with our Definitive Racing Superlatives (DRS) Awards. 🏆

From the best and worst races of the year to Driver of the Year, Most Improved, Rookie of the Year, and the moments that stole — or shattered — our hearts, we break down everything that defined one of the most chaotic and emotionally charged F1 seasons in recent memory.

We revisit unforgettable highs like Nico Hülkenberg’s long-awaited podium, Ferrari’s historic double disqualification, McLaren’s controversial team orders, and Max Verstappen’s improbable championship comeback — alongside baffling strategy calls, off-track drama, and the mysteries that still don’t make sense.

Plus, we spill the grid on the FIA Awards, Red Bull’s leadership shakeup, Ferrari’s struggles, and what it all means heading into the massive 2026 regulation changes.

Whether you’re a longtime fan or a Drive to Survive convert, this episode is your ultimate 2025 F1 season recap — and the perfect sendoff to Season 1.

🎧 Buckle in. Let’s relive the moments that defined Formula 1 in 2025.