IndyCar driver Simon Pagenaud has praised Formula 1 following his trip to the Hungarian GP earlier in August.

Comparisons are often drawn between the two series, particularly as F1 appears to be following IndyCar's lead in a return to ground effect cars for 2021.

However, while it is suggested the lower downforce in America creates better racing, Pagenaud admits F1 remains attractive for other reasons.

“F1 was very interesting to watch because the technology is fascinating,” this year's Indianapolis 500 winner told Racer.

“The aerodynamics on the car are absolutely stunning. Beautiful. I love little winglets here and there.

"I love to see the flow of the air. How the Red Bull has worked on the sidepods and almost sculpting to get the airflow going to the radiators is just phenomenal.

"The cars are fast, grippy," he added. "Almost too good - making it look like they are on rails!"

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A criticism of today's F1 is that the cars are too influential on performance and that drivers skills are hidden as a result.

However: "When Hamilton went for it in Hungary, you could see the body language of the car change," Pagenaud insisted. “It seems like the drivers are having fun driving these cars.

"I love to see that. We had a great race there."

Naturally, he was asked to draw his own comparison between his IndyCar and F1 with the Frenchman citing the different philosophies of the two series.

The drivers and IndyCar work really close together to try to find the best formula for racing, to make a good show.

"IndyCar is very much about the show and making sure the fans enjoy watching," he stated. "That’s what IndyCar is about; it’s about being loud, pure racing and not about contact but about a muscle car. It’s not about technology as much.

“F1 is very sophisticated. It’s a very different market, it’s not the same sport. It’s like comparing cricket and football but I was impressed at how beautiful F1 is in the paddock, and how well organized it is.

"Obviously, F1 compared to IndyCar - there’s a lot more discrepancy between cars because manufacturers make their own cars," he acknowledged. "It’s very different, but I think both have their advantages.

“It’s also interesting you say Formula 1 is looking at aerodynamics that provide better racing. I remember the years with the big front wing and the small rear wing, and they were horrible races too.

"I think the formula [in IndyCar] is actually perfect right now," he said. "It’s the best formula IndyCar ever found.

"So I honestly don’t know what’s right or not for F1, but I thought Hungary was a fantastic race."