P1racenews AI automatic summary:
The NTT IndyCar Series will race with substantially the same amount of hybrid power in 2025 as was available for its debut this past season. After multiple delays due to design changes and reliability concerns, IndyCar’s hybrid components were first used in competition during the Mid-Ohio race weekend in early July. Drivers quickly adapted to […]
After multiple delays and concerns regarding design changes and reliability, the IndyCar’s hybrid components were first utilized in competition during the Mid-Ohio race weekend in early July. Drivers quickly adapted to the additional controls, manually adjusting deployment and regeneration rates from behind the wheel. However, there was minimal gain overall from the system, with lap times staying nearly the same due to strict deployment limits and the added weight nullifying the benefits. IndyCar President Jay Frye mentioned at the ePartrade Race Industry Week conference that any power increases won’t be implemented before the 2026 season. Despite a successful rollout halfway through the season, some incidents occurred, like Scott Dixon’s hybrid failure at Mid-Ohio and issues with the electronic lockout system. The decision to delay power increase is not related to these incidents but aims to stabilize the system before pushing its limits further. There is speculation about retiring the Push to Pass turbo boost system if hybrid power is increased, but Frye confirmed there are no immediate plans to remove Push to Pass from the format in the near future.
