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Each series is united by four wheels and McLaren’s presence, but what are some of the similarities, differences, and USPs of Formula 1, Formula E, and INDYCAR?

This weekend, McLaren fans can take in the action across three series, with our Formula 1 team, IndyCar squad and our Formula E outfit all racing.

While some of you will already be well versed in all three series, for many of you, this could be your first experience. So, if you want to watch us in each series, but aren’t entirely sure how they work, we’ve got you covered with a whistle-stop guide to all three.

What are the different series you’re talking about?

Formula 1: Grand Prix competition can trace its roots to the birth of the motor car in the late 19th century, with events beginning across the early stages of the 20th century. But the Formula 1 World Championship came to life in 1950, and Bruce McLaren first entered his team into the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix, making McLaren the second-oldest team still competing in F1.

INDYCAR: The pinnacle of North American open-wheel competition, INDYCAR has been around in various formats and guises since the early 20th century, with the inaugural Indianapolis 500 – the showpiece race of the series – first taking place in 1911. McLaren twice won the Indy 500 in the 1970s and, after a couple of one-off outings in the late 2010s, entered the NTT INDYCAR SERIES full-time from 2020.

Formula E: As technology continued to advance, the all-electric ABB FIA Formula E World Championship burst into life in 2014, swiftly establishing itself among the leading motorsport series. NEOM McLaren joined the fray ahead of Season 9 in 2022.

What about the cars?

Formula 1: Each team is officially called a Constructor, meaning that the design and development of the cars comes from within at McLaren, ably assisted by our power unit partners Mercedes AMG High Performance Powertrains, while the tyres are supplied by Pirelli. F1 cars have a top speed of around 220mph but it’s through the fast corners where they truly come alive due to the high levels of downforce.

INDYCAR: Each team runs the Dallara IR-12 chassis with the Dallara IR-18 aero kit, which has had minor revisions since its introduction, including the use of the Aeroscreen. The cars are identical but come in three different specifications for road and street courses, short ovals, and speedways, in order to cope with the varying demands of the circuits. Arrow McLaren is powered by Chevrolet, while Firestone is the sole tyre supplier.

Formula E: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team, as with our competitors, race in the GEN3 Evo, the upgraded all-wheel drive car that was introduced ahead of Season 11. Our car uses Nissan’s E-4ORCE 05 powertrain, with a top speed of 200mph, and a power output of 350Kw. All-weather treaded tyres are supplied by Hankook.

Why is each series exciting?

Formula 1: F1 has been conjuring up epic racing for 75 years, with rivalries, wheel-to-wheel battles, and breathless moments. The competition at the front of the grid is closer than ever, with mere tenths of a second separating multiple teams, while with 24 Grands Prix, the calendar blends iconic circuits such as Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps, with newer destinations including Miami and Las Vegas.

INDYCAR: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is packed with iconic teams and drivers, with 27 full-time racers making it a hugely competitive grid. The range of circuit types makes the series unique, as teams and drivers have to master road courses, street tracks and the ovals, providing a stern test to find the best all-rounder across the scope of the season. Drivers zip around the ovals at speeds of over 230mph, inches from the wall, and often inches from their opponents too.

Formula E: The events are regularly nail-biting, with the cat-and-mouse nature of the energy management strategies leading to pack-style racing, somewhat reminiscent of cycling. That means races can simmer before suddenly exploding into life during the closing stages as teams and drivers jostle for position.  FE also dives into the heart of some of the most renowned locations in the world, with street races in the centre of iconic cities such as Tokyo, São Paulo, and Mexico City.

How do practice and Qualifying work?

Formula 1: F1 drivers have three one-hour practice sessions, two on a Friday, one on a Saturday, ahead of a three-part Qualifying hour. The slowest five drivers are eliminated at the end of the first two sessions, with the final 10 battling for Pole position in Q3. At Grands Prix where a Sprint race is scheduled, there’s just a solitary one-hour practice session, and a slightly shorter version of the usual Qualifying session to determine the grid for the Sprint race.

INDYCAR: The NTT INDYCAR SERIES has different Practice and Qualifying procedures depending on the type of circuit. On road and street courses, such as Long Beach, Practice times determine two Groups, who take it in turn to set times, and the fastest 12 cars make it through. That number is halved in the next session to form the Firestone Fast Six, in which Pole position is determined. On oval courses, the drivers run one-by-one, in reverse championship order, and the average speed across two laps sets the grid. For the Indy 500, drivers must complete four laps, with a full field Qualifying, Fast 12, and then Firestone Fast Six. Those outside of the top 33 after Qualifying participate in a last-chance session, with the risk of elimination from the main race.

Formula E: There are two 40-minute Practice Sessions, or three on a double-header weekend.  For Qualifying FE also uses a multi-stage knockout format, but with a twist. The drivers are split into two Groups, and the fastest four from each progress to Duels, where head-to-head match-ups begin. The eight drivers face off in the Quarter Finals and the quickest from each Duel goes through to the Semi Finals. They are then whittled down to two for the Final, where they take it in turns to set a lap that they hope is quick enough for Pole position.

How do the races work?

Formula 1: F1 Grands Prix take place across 190 miles – except for Monaco, which is 160 miles – and during the race, drivers must run at least one different tyre compound, and there is no in-race refuelling. Drivers can take advantage of an overtaking aid, called the Drag Reduction System (DRS), where the rear wing lowers to boost top speed when within a second of a rival.

INDYCAR: Unlike in F1 and FE, INDYCAR races begin with a rolling start, while there is in-race refuelling, and drivers must run different tyre compounds. NTT INDYCAR SERIES street and road courses tend to last around two hours but race distances do vary depending on the track, with the most obvious example being the Indy 500, which is – as the name would suggest – a 500-mile race.

Formula E: Each FE race lasts around 45 minutes, though laps can be added on to compensate for Safety Car and Full Course Yellow periods – meaning drivers have to be mindful when it comes to energy management! Drivers must also take Attack Mode twice per race, which involves driving off-line to a designated zone, which gives the car an extra 50kW of power for a designated period of time – while the new Pit Boost system, available on the Saturday during a double-header, sees drivers duck into the pit lane for a 10 per cent energy boost following a rapid 30-second recharge.

How are points scored?

Formula 1: The winning driver receives 25, the runner-up 18, down to 15 for third, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 for the remainder of the top 10. For Sprint races, the top eight receive points, with eight for the winner, and down to one for eighth.

INDYCAR: Points mean prizes in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES and everyone leaves with something. The winner gets 50 points, runner-up 40, third 35, and fourth 32, coming down in increments of two to 20 for tenth. After that it is one point less per position, and anyone placing 25th or below gets five points. Pole position grabs an extra point, leading a lap gets you a point, while the driver leading most laps gets two points. For Indy 500 Qualifying, the fastest driver gets 12 points, reducing by one per position until 12th place.

Formula E: The top 10 finishers receive points per F1’s system, though there are also additional points on offer. The Pole sitter is awarded three points, while the driver who sets the Fastest Lap is also issues a point, providing they finish inside the top 10.

Where are the races, and how can I watch them?

Formula 1: This weekend’s race takes place in Miami. Sky Sports F1 will carry coverage in the UK and Ireland, with highlights on Channel 4. Further information on where to watch all the F1 action can be found here.

INDYCAR: The Barber Motorsports Park in Birmingham, Alabama, will welcome the Arrow McLaren IndyCar Team this weekend. Sky Sports F1 carries FOX’s coverage of the event. Click here to see INDYCAR's broadcasters.

Formula E: The NEOM McLaren Formula E Team will compete in Monaco, one of motorsport’s most iconic cities. FE is broadcast free-to-air on ITV, and on TNT Sports, in the UK. More details of where to watch FE’s races can be found here.