P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Five years in the making, the IndyCar Series will make its long-awaited move to hybridization at the July 5-7 race on the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. Announced at the Indianapolis 500 in May of 201…
Five years in the making, the IndyCar Series will finally introduce hybrid technology at the July 5-7 race at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. This innovative technology, developed jointly by Chevrolet and Honda, features energy recovery systems (ERS) in the bellhousings of all cars for the first time. The ERS system includes a motor generator unit (MGU) that works with the internal combustion engine to harvest or deploy energy to the rear wheels and an energy storage system (ESS) to store and return that energy. The ESS, built by Honda using ultracapacitor cells by Skeleton, sits atop the Chevy-led MGU created by Empel in a low-voltage 48V package. Due to space constraints, ultracapacitors were chosen over traditional batteries for their quick-charging properties. The MGU unit in the ERS operates similarly to other hybrid series like Formula 1 and IMSA and can potentially deliver over 100 extra horsepower in the future if desired by IndyCar. This ERS technology will be utilized at every track on the calendar, including ovals, with energy harvested mainly while braking on road courses and streets. Drivers have the option of manual or automated harvesting, with a new regeneration paddle on the steering wheel for superspeedways. The ERS, in conjunction with the push-to-pass system, gives drivers a total boost of 120hp when both are engaged, providing new strategic elements for races.
