IndyCar will this year become the latest top-level race series to introduce hybrid technology and, in doing so, will be the first to race on an oval with such a system. It has been an intense and thorough route to fruition, but the series is now confident that, following validation tests at the end of January with production-spec parts and software, it can deliver a safe and robust system that is unique to the series.
IndyCar first introduced the idea of a hybrid system in 2019. The series invited companies to tender for the contract and be ready for 2022. It also announced that its two partner manufacturers, Honda and General Motors, would introduce new engines, increasing capacity from 2.2-litres to 2.4. However, under pressure from various external factors, the manufacturers opted to drop the new engine formula in favour of keeping the proven 2.2-litre unit.
At least Honda’s engine did not go to waste, as it now forms the basis of the ARX-06 endurance racing prototype.
As the hybrid system upgrade has remained in place, introducing it into an existing IndyCar chassis has proven somewhat complicated, requiring support from all parties, including the series, manufacturers, teams and multiple suppliers. The Covid pandemic has not helped here, nor have ongoing supply chain issues.
Introducing [the hybrid system] into an existing IndyCar chassis has proven somewhat complicated, requiring support from all parties, including the series, manufacturers, teams and multiple suppliers
In order to accommodate the hybrid system, more than 45kg had to be
