P1racenews AI automatic summary:
IndyCar "desperately" needs new car says O’Ward
The new power unit for the 2024 season will have a 2.2-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine with added hybrid components, providing an extra 150 horsepower when used. The hybrid engine was initially planned to be a 2.4-litre powerplant, but that changed last December. However, some drivers, including Pato O’Ward, would have preferred a new chassis instead of just an engine upgrade. O’Ward believes that IndyCar needs to evolve and take a big step forward, rather than taking baby steps. He points to the design of hybrid cars in other series, like the IMSA SportsCar Championship and Formula 1, as examples of what can be done to make Indycars more exciting. O’Ward has tested the hybrid and acknowledges that it will be a challenge for drivers in terms of reliability and maximizing its potential due to unclear rules.
