The NTT INDYCAR SERIES is set to introduce hybrid technology to their cars at some point following next month’s 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge, and this could be a huge game changer for what is to come during the second half of the 2024 season.
Ordinarily, we would have had at least two points races in the schedule at this point in April. However, 2024 has been slightly different as, to date, we have only had the season-opening Firestone Grand Prix of St Petersburg presented by RP Funding, which took place last month and was dominated by Team Penske’s Josef Newgarden.
A definitive date for introducing the hybrid technology pushed back from the start of the season, has yet to be announced by INDYCAR. Paddock Eye understands that the hybrid systems that several teams tested at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course last week could be introduced for the XPEL Grand Prix of Road America, which takes place on June 9, which means that drivers have five races to bank as many points as possible before the introduction of the new technology as it is likely that there could be some teething problems when it is first rolled out.
Speaking to Paddock Eye at the recent Indianapolis Motor Speedway, AJ Foyt Racing’s Santino Ferrucci, driver of the No.14 Sexton Properties Chevrolet, said that both engine manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda, have done a phenomenal job in preparing the teams and drivers for the introduction of the new hybrid systems.