Why do F1 car have high horsepower rather than torque?

[AFS29]

I've heard the analogy that a high torque car is like a bodybuilder, it is powerful but slow.
And a high horsepower car is like a sprint runner, it runs fast, but not as powerful.

Considering other factors constant.
if each tries to ride a bicycle to a certain speed,
and the runner is given a low gear ratio, while the bodybuilder is given a high gear ratio.
Wouldn't they both perform similarly?

 

[billy_joule]

Considering other factors constant.
if each tries to ride a bicycle to a certain speed,
and the runner is given a low gear ratio, while the bodybuilder is given a high gear ratio.
Wouldn't they both perform similarly?

Power is what matters. Power is the rate of doing work. The rider with the most power will win.

Power = Torque*rotational velocity
In SI units
Watts = Newton metres * radians/second (=joules/second)

Gears, or any other mechanical advantage, can exchange torque for rotational speed or vice versa but power remains constant.
A cyclist with adequate gearing could produce more torque than a Veyron, but the cyclist still only produces the same pitiful power output he always did.

This topic has been discussed here at PF more than once, a search will find more info.

 

[billy_joule]

Here is one such thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/threads/horsepower-and-torque-question.815259/#post-5117567

The issue is approached (repeatedly!) from many angles.