Was Can-Am at it's peak faster than F1?

Question

In the early seventies some Group 7/Can-Am teams ran cars with over 1000 horsepower. Could the F1 cars of the day have kept up with them?

Answer 1

They were pretty close, although the more powerful Can Am cars had a slight edge in top speed, the lighter F1 cars an edge in handling.

In 1973 Mark Donahue qualified on pole at Watkins Glen for the Can Am in 1:38.8.

http://www.racingsportscars.com/photo/Watkins_Glen-1973-07-22c-photo.html

The same year Ronnie Petersen got the F1 pole at 1:39.6.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1973_United_States_Grand_Prix

But I think Donahue was a better driver.

From below:

"Dan Gurney, driving a McLaren M8D Chevrolet was credited with the fastest race lap of 1:18,000 in the Can-Am race at Mosport, Ont., in 1970.
Later that year at the same track, Clay Regazzoni's fastest lap in the Canadian Grand Prix was 1:32.200, driving a Ferrari. "

The 1970 Canadian GP was at Mont-Tremblant, not Mosport.

http://www.4mula1.ro/history/year/1970

There was a Can-Am at Mont-Tremblant, the pole qualifying time was 1:33.

http://members.madasafish.com/~d_hodgkinson/brmcanam.htm

Bottom line. They were very close. Which was faster depends on the track (faster tracks favor the Can-Am) and the driver.

Answer 2

At it's peak, the Can-Am cars were definitely faster than their Formula One counterparts at least at some circuits.
Dan Gurney, driving a McLaren M8D Chevrolet was credited with the fastest race lap of 1:18,000 in the Can-Am race at Mosport, Ont., in 1970.
Later that year at the same track, Clay Regazzoni's fastest lap in the Canadian Grand Prix was 1:32.200, driving a Ferrari.
In 1972, at Watkins Glen, N.Y., Peter Revson, in a McLaren M20 Chevrolet set the fastest lap of 1:44,300 in the Can-Am race. However, in October of the same year, Jackie Stewart, in a Tyrrell-Ford, had a fast lap of 1:41.644 in the U.S. Grand Prix.
Those `Big-Banger' Can-Am cars were fast.

Answer 3

Yes, they were slightly faster in the 1970's and very spectacular to watch because of the enormous power outputs.

by the way we still see them regularly here in England in classic sports car racing. The McLarens are fabulous.