Most automotive comparisons try to pair cars that are at least somewhat similar, but not this one. This Speed Comparison test was done as an exhibition at the recent Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, Australia, and gives us a look at the capabilities of a road car, a production based race car, and a full blown open-wheel rocket ship.

Representing the “road car” segment of this test is the Mercedes AMG SL63 running on street tires.  It may not be a race car, but the SL63 is certainly no slouch with its 557 horsepower 5.5L twin turbo (or “biturbo”) engine.

For the “production based” race car we have Team Red Bull’s Holden V8 Supercar built to resemble a Commodore. Sadly, the Holden V8 Supercars do not use LS engines, but rather a fuel injected 5.0L small block Chevy that churns out an estimated at 600 horsepower. This is the exact same car that Team Red Bull runs in the Dunlop V8 Supercar Series.  

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Finally, there is the Red Bull Formula One car which stands in great contrast to both the Mercedes and the Holden racecar. The F1 car has a small 2.4L V8 that can scream to over 18,000 RPM and makes somewhere in the ball bark of 700 horsepower. Needless to say, power to weight ratio, grip, and aerodynamics are all seriously working in the F1 car’s favor.  

The comparison is set up as a chase, with the Mercedes starting first with a 16.8 second head start on the Holden. The Holden V8 Supercar leaves and is given a 23.9 second lead over the Formula One car. As you might expect, the F1 car quickly makes up the 40 second gap between itself and the Mercedes and crosses the finish line first, with just three-tenths of a second separating each of the cars.