Going to a race should be a thrill. Whether you’re a die-hard racing fan with a favorite team or a first-time gawker, a race should leave you wanting to return.

Not all experiences are the same; for most who attend a race, the first impression is lasting. Having attended both F1 and IMSA races, I found some distinct differences, and you might be surprised at what I discovered.

Watching the race from the pits never gets old
Nate Swanner

What’s the difference between F1 and IMSA?

F1 cars are built to go insanely fast and are incredibly nimble. There are 10 teams, with Cadillac set to be the 11th next season. Like all racing, F1 cars are held to strict standards for performance and specifications. For most, an F1 car is the quintessential race car.

IMSA has many classes, depending on the series. Its main series, the WeatherTech Sportscar Championship, has four classes: Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Daytona Pro (GTD Pro), and GT Daytona (GTD).

Within IMSA, you’ll see Mazda MX-5 Miatas, Mustangs, BMWs, Porsche, and many more.

How they compare

An F1 car is nothing like any IMSA vehicle, and the events are also wildly different.

Ticket prices: IMSA wins

If you want to attend the next domestic F1 race, the Formula 1 crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, tickets start at an eye-watering $975. This earns you an entry to the event and a grandstand seat.

That’s it, that’s the tweet, kids. Almost a grand, and you get an uncomfortable fold-down seat next to some strangers. Cool.

Tickets to the IMSA’s Firestone Grand Prix at St. Petersburg start at $30. You aren’t guaranteed a seat, but you will have grandstand access. If you want a guaranteed seat, single-day prices start at $105 for adults. A three-day pass with a guaranteed seat will run you $135-165. A 3-day pit pass will cost an extra $150.

If you balled out for the IMSA race, it would be $315. You could take two friends and still have $30 for a cheeseburger. (Seriously, concession prices are nuts, and cheeseburgers are now $30.)

Fan experience: F1 wins

I want to be clear that I’m comparing the F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix to the Rolex 24 Hours at Daytona here. And F1 wins—sort of.

The F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix’s on-site experience was top-notch. The main fan area had plenty of games, shops, and great food options.

Daytona’s concessions and on-site shops were good, but it felt more like a carnival than an event. If you’re there for a grittier racing experience, IMSA can’t be beat, but more on that in a minute.

Most fans don’t venture into the pits or paddock areas, so when it comes to on-site activities, F1 beats IMSA.

The view in pit lane at Daytona International is a race fan's dream come true
Nate Swanner

Watching the race live: IMSA wins

Fun fact: At one point late in the race, I found an empty pit area. It had been cleaned out, so I’m guessing a team had to withdraw early and just packed it all in overnight.

Since I had a pit pass, I could camp out in the pit and watch the race from there. There were pit stops happening mere feet from my face. It was incredible.

Daytona had many spots to watch the race from, and the grandstands were also great. You could see the entire track from the stands.

F1 has been lackluster to watch live. In Las Vegas, you get snippets of cars zooming by, and that’s about it. Not to mention that seeing the entire track is impossible from one vantage point.

Because IMSA allows fans more access, you have a better chance of seeing the race from various places.

Access to - well, stuff: IMSA wins

At Daytona, you can walk through the paddock and on pit row. Just stay out of the way.

You won’t get that kind of access at an F1 race. Paddocks are heavily restricted, and pit row is off-limits. IMSA races just offer far more access, and it's awesome.

The Bellagio's experience is next-level - and you can see cars racing down the strip!
Nate Swanner

Amenities: F1 wins

F1 Las Vegas, and all domestic F1 races, are full of pomp and circumstance. There are side events to check out, and a lot goes on at the race itself. The venues are typically nicer, too.

IMSA races don’t have that energy. The race is the star. Sure, you can get a bite to eat, but even the nicest catered event we found on-site paled compared to F1.

A gorgeous day at Daytona can't be beat. You can see the entire track from the stands, too!
Nate Swanner

Final thoughts

This comparison is ultimately about racing culture. F1’s culture is more European, where access is kept far from fans. IMSA’s level of access is far more “American” and trusts fans to respect teams in the paddock and pit areas.

IMSA team principles tell me that some European drivers have difficulty adjusting to the access fans have at IMSA races. They’re just not used to it. The restrictions aren’t an F1 thing; they’re just a European cultural thing regarding racing.

Colloquially, I’ve noticed fans at F1 races are more frustrated by everything being pay-to-play. If you want access, you can get it, but it'll cost you.

IMSA may not be as fancy as F1, but its bang for your buck is impossible to beat.

Love reading Autoblog? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get exclusive articles, insider insights, and the latest updates delivered right to your inbox. Click here to sign up now!