P1racenews AI automatic summary:
There was a sense of deja vu when Pato O’Ward crossed the line at Mid-Ohio last month to win the Honda Indy 200. It made him the first winner of an IndyCar race with a hybrid car, but for McLaren, …
When Pato O’Ward won the Honda Indy 200 last month, it felt like déjà vu as he became the first winner of an IndyCar race with a hybrid car. This achievement mirrored McLaren’s milestone from 15 years prior when they won a Formula 1 grand prix with a hybrid car. In the 2009 Formula 1 season, McLaren was among the first teams to introduce electrification with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS). Despite the 82 extra horsepower it provided, the added weight posed challenges. McLaren’s hopes were high for the 2009 season following their championship win, but early struggles were blamed on the hybrid technology and aero compromises. The development of the KERS-laden MP4-24 began in 2008 alongside the team’s title-winning efforts with the MP4-23A, setting the stage for a hybrid era in racing.
