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Tyres  /  Tyre NewsMotoring  / Formula 1 vs British GT Championship: What’s the Real Difference?

Formula 1 vs British GT Championship: What’s the Real Difference?

Formula 1 vs British GT Championship: What’s the Real Difference?

Is British GT Faster Than Formula 1?

No — cars in the British GT Championship are considerably slower than Formula 1 cars in terms of lap time, acceleration, and top speed.

British GT features GT3 and GT4-spec supercars — powerful, production-based machines like the Aston Martin Vantage, McLaren 720S, and Lamborghini Huracán. While visually stunning and ferociously fast in their own right, they can’t match the agility, downforce, or cornering performance of a Formula 1 car.

Key Differences

FeatureFormula 1British GT Championship
Top Speed~360 km/h (223 mph) ~280–300 km/h (GT3), ~250 km/h (GT4)
Lap Time (Silverstone GP)~1:26 (F1 2023) ~2:00+ (GT3), ~2:10+ (GT4)
Car TypeOpen-wheel, single-seater GT3 and GT4-spec supercars
Driver Format1 driver per car 2-driver teams (Pro-Am format)
Race Length~1 hr 45 mins (Grand Prix) 1–3 hours per race
Pit StopsHigh-speed, tyre-only Mandatory with driver change & fuelling

Example Comparison: Silverstone GP Circuit

Both Formula 1 and British GT race at Silverstone, offering a useful benchmark.

That’s a 35-second gap for GT3 cars, and more than 45 seconds for GT4 — clearly showing Formula 1’s elite pace.

What Is the Difference Between Formula 1 and the British GT Championship?

Though both offer high-level racing, F1 and British GT have entirely different goals, structures, and experiences.

Car Design and Engineering

Driver Format and Strategy

Accessibility and Budget

Spectator Experience

What Tyres Do They Use in Formula 1 vs British GT?

Formula 1 Tyres

British GT Tyres

Buy Pirelli tyres at Blackcircles.com

Key Tyre Differences

 
AspectFormula 1British GT
SupplierPirelli Pirelli
Compound Variety3 compounds selected from 5 Single compound per class, track-dependent
Pit Stop StyleTyre-only Driver change + refuelling (in longer races)
Race Length ImpactHigh degradation, short stints Long stints, tyre management essential
Wet TyresIntermediate + Wet available Full Wet compound per class
 

Formula 1 vs British GT

Formula 1 and British GT operate in completely different worlds of motorsport. F1 is unquestionably faster, but British GT delivers its own thrill: wheel-to-wheel racing, pit strategy, and driver teamwork, all with a distinctly British flavour.

F1 showcases maximum pace, innovation, and global spectacle, while British GT blends endurance, strategy, and recognisable supercars into a national championship that’s highly competitive and fan-friendly. 

Buy new tyres at Blackcircles.com
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