IndyCar’s long-awaited introduction of its hybrid power units will finally take place at the ninth round of this year’s championship at Mid-Ohio.
The series has repeatedly delayed the introduction of the system, which will allow drivers to deploy an extra 120 horsepower, taking the total available to over 800bhp.
The hybrid power units were originally due for introduction in 2022 alongside a new engine formula. However the latter was shelved and the arrival of the hybrids delayed until the start of this season. Last December IndyCar decided to delay the introduction of the hybrid technology again to an unspecified date in 2024, after the showpiece Indianapolis 500.
Now the championship has chosen the July round at Mid-Ohio, the ninth of 17, for the field’s switch to hybrid power.
“The IndyCar-specific hybrid power unit will bring a new and exciting element to the NTT IndyCar series with additional energy and overtake options,” said the series president Jay Frye. “We cannot wait to see the start of this new era at Mid-Ohio.”
The teams have covered more than 37,000 kilometres of testing with the hybrid units at seven different permanent venues. A further test involving the whole field will take place at the Milwaukee Mile oval on June 11th.
The hybrid system will use the clutch shaft to generate energy when the driver demands it. IndyCar will set different limits on how much of this energy can be stored based on the length and layout of each track.
Drivers will also gain the ability to restart their own engines using the hybrid systems. The series expects this will reduce the number of caution periods required as drivers whose engines stop after an incident will no longer require outside assistance to resume.
IndyCar’s decision means more than half of this year’s 17 points-paying races will be contested by hybrids. After Mid-Ohio the hybrids will appear in two races on the Iowa oval, the Toronto street circuit, Gateway oval, Portland road circuit, two races at the Milwaukee mile and the finale on the Nashville oval.
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