P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Over the course of a couple days at the end of this past week, IndyCar’s two engine manufacturers Honda and
After extensive testing on various types of courses, including a simulated street course and a short oval, the new hybrid power system was finally put to the test on the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval. Six drivers had the opportunity to drive cars equipped with the new system, with up to four cars on the track at a time. Over 1,325 laps were completed at speeds exceeding 220 MPH, testing the system’s performance, reliability, and various aspects such as the super capacitor’s deployment and regeneration. IndyCar officials and engineers from both engine manufacturers were present to observe the testing. The project lead for Honda Performance Development’s version of the hybrid components expressed confidence in the energy storage capacity and highlighted the unique challenges of vibration and temperature. IndyCar’s implementation of the hybrid system is distinct in that it retains the existing 2.2-liter engine and integrates the super capacitor energy store within the bell housing, maintaining a small and lightweight package. Different levels of driver control, from manual to fully automatic, have been tested, and the final decision on control mechanisms is yet to be made. The aim is to have the new components delivered to all teams before the end of the year for implementation in the first race of the season in early March.
Source: Motorsport Week