Here are the basics to learning about F1 before the race begins

One friend can’t stop yammering about a “Leclerc.” Other friends argue over what’s happening with some Louis Hamilton guy, as well as Ferrari and Mercedes, which you don’t understand because they either Uber or borrow the family Toyota.

Welcome to the world of Formula One auto racing, which comes to Miami at full volume and color for Sunday’s first F1 Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium.

Much like soccer, for decades, the worldwide affection for Formula One escaped only the United States. And, much like soccer, that’s changed dramatically over the past decade, despite the lack of a driver from the United States battling for the championship (see below).

This is for those of you who don’t know your Verstappen from your Vettel, but you want to understand what’s happening out in Miami Gardens this weekend.

THESE ARE THE SAME GUYS THAT RUN THE INDY 500, RIGHT?

IndyCars are open wheel (no fender), rear engine race cars with front and rear aerodynamic wings.

Without going too gearhead, F1 cars are about 40 pounds lighter than IndyCars, the top end engines produce about 300 more horsepower, they have power steering and they’re much more technically sophisticated (and expensive).

Because F1 cars get through the corners at a higher speed, they’re much faster than IndyCars on road and street courses. But when IndyCars run on superspeedway ovals such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway or Texas Motor Speedway, they actually reach higher top speeds. Formula One doesn’t run on ovals of any kind.

Also, each F1 team develops its own chassis and gets its engines from Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault or Honda. In IndyCar, everybody runs the same chassis and Honda or Chevrolet engines.

As for the drivers, there are some former F1 drivers in IndyCar and some younger IndyCar drivers might wind up in F1 some day. But there’s no hopping back and forth.

WHAT ARE THE TOP FORMULA ONE TEAMS?

line in the 1980s and ‘90s.

Actually, that breaks down as Mercedes the past eight seasons and Red Bull from 2010-2013. But Ferrari, which won eight of 10 Constructors titles from 1999-2008, is enjoying a renaissance this season and leads the current standings.

WHO ARE THE TOP DRIVERS?