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The NTT IndyCar Series’ midseason shift to hybrid electric powertrains is its biggest technological change since it introduced turbocharged V6 engines in 2012. There’s a lot to try and understand i…
The NTT IndyCar Series is making its biggest technological change by shifting to hybrid electric powertrains this season, a shift not seen since the introduction of turbocharged V6 engines in 2012. The changeover begins this weekend in Mid-Ohio, sparking a wave of questions and answers to help fans understand the transition. With 65 Q&A topics to cover, Part 1 focused on the energy recovery systems, while the rest will delve into a wide range of subjects related to IndyCar’s new hybrid direction. Teams like Andretti Global, Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing, and Team Penske, which did the most hybrid testing, are expected to have a significant advantage over others due to their extensive experience with the technology and success in races. Despite the uneven distribution of testing among the 10 teams, the approach was intentional to accelerate the series’ move toward hybridization. While indicators on the cars won’t show when the ERS units are active, fans can expect notifications on TV broadcasts and the IndyCar app to track when drivers are harvesting or deploying hybrid power. The reliability of the ERS units has seen some failures in testing, often due to user error, as teams adjust to the new and more complex starting process for the cars.
