IndyCar Drivers Wary as Hybrid Engines Loom Mid-Season
IndyCar drivers are taking a cautious stance as hybrid engines approach the middle of the season.
After a decade in which Formula 1 introduced V6 hybrid turbo power units, IndyCar is expected to adopt similar technology this year.The delay, which was initially planned for 2022, then postponed to 2023, and finally announced that hybrids will be added to the “second half” process at the end of this season, that is, after the Indianapolis 500, makes us think about the effects of the championship fight on the pilots and how this may affect them. St. in March With pre-season testing starting on the streets of St. Petersburg, drivers are evaluating the effects of a major change in power units in the middle of the season on the race. “We did a lot of testing on the hybrid, which was great,” says Andretti’s Colton Herta. “Now, we know we still have a few hybrid test days and some without hybrid. I think those days will be very critical to determine the differences between the two.”Herta and others must be wary that any driver performing well at the start of the season could affect the stability of the heavy hybrid units.
“That can definitely finish a season, if his car is great without hybrid or with hybrid,” Herta says. “You get into it late in the year, whenever it’s introduced, and your season can turn upside down. So you really have to stay on the ball and understand the differences between the two.”Andretti’s engine supplier says it is pleased with the progress Honda has made in integrating its standard system into its twin-turbo V6, but continues to see potential for hybrids to change the competitive balance between engine manufacturers and teams when introduced.
“I think [the best] of the new transmission and how well the engine power is transferred and its effectiveness to the drivetrain will be a big thing in terms of drivability,” says Herta. “I think Honda has done a tremendous job with this from what I’ve seen so far.”But of course when things actually come into play, because of the timeline and how long it will take, it can be a completely different story. Because the development is still going on and everyone is making their car better every day with it.”That’s really it for me, understanding what it can do to the race car when you switch to hybrids, suddenly it can be a season finisher where you can go from having a car that’s at the top every weekend to dropping to seventh, eighth, ninth.
So that’s the most important part I think for every team this year, It’s about understanding the different dynamics of this.”No date has yet been set for the introduction of hybrids, and IndyCar’s tight schedule could make that difficult.
The weekends after the Indianapolis 500 feature consecutive races, followed by two-week breaks between rounds at Road America, Laguna Seca and Mid-Ohio.This includes a four-race stretch where time could be tight to introduce hybrids. Next up is four races over three consecutive weekends, including the Iowa doubleheader, by which time there may have been a point where changing the engine format may no longer make sense.
Will Power, who has tested Chevrolet’s implementation of hybrids, thinks the hybrid will make a significant difference in how the vehicle handles. “It will undoubtedly be a factor in this championship,” he says. “Changes in weight distribution, the weight of the vehicle increases. You have this hybrid system that you have to use efficiently.”In these races people will be learning how much the system can get the most out of, which is a good thing. It will make for a really interesting championship.”He also thinks it will be an important factor whether hybrid systems “complement” one manufacturer’s engine more than another: “Chevy or Honda? Because it will kick in within a certain power range.”The addition of hybrid systems will significantly increase the weight of the cars. Dallara worked to reduce the impact of the DW12 chassis.
So drivers are looking for a lighter, more agile machine in the first races before hybrids arrive.
