The final race of the 2023 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season may be this weekend at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, and with Alex Palou having wrapped up the championship last week in Portland there is plenty to look forward to in 2024.
Here at Paddock Eye we thought we would take a look at what’s coming for the 2024 NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
The biggest change for 2024 is the introduction of the new hybrid engine technology with both Chevrolet and Honda working extremely hard in recent weeks and months to prepare for the introduction of the new technology.
Last month at Sebring International Raceway, Scott Dixon on behalf of Honda Performance Development and Will Power on behalf of Chevrolet completed a successful test where the new hybrid components were successfully integrated with the current 2.2 liter V6 Twin turbocharged engine.
The new technology will give drivers an additional 150 horse power.
While we have yet to see what the 2024 schedule looks like, Paddock Eye understands that the Milwaukee mile will return to the calendar in 2024.
As for the driver market, Team Penske are the only outfit to have the same line up.
Andretti Autosport are expect to trim down to a three car programme with Marcus Ericsson joining Colton Herta and Kyle Kirkwood from Ganassi.
Paddock Eye understands that Devlin DeFrancesco is on his way to Dale Coyne Racing to replace David Malukas however, it is not yet known who the partner will be with HMD set to leave DCR at the end of the current season.
Meyer Shank Racing have an all-new line up for 2024 with Tom Blomqvist and Felix Rosenqvist at the team while Helio Castroneves has taken up an ownership stake in the team and will continue to compete in the Indianapolis 500.
It is unclear what Ryan Hunter-Reay will do next season and if he will stay with Ed Carpenter Racing alongside Rinus VeeKay.
Romain Grosjean who is leaving Andretti Autosport was thought to be leaving INDYCAR for sportscar racing but Paddock Eye has learnt that he is a potential candidate for a return to Dale Coyne Racing who gave him his start in the series.
Callum Ilott confirmed on Friday following practice that he will remain with Juncos Hollinger Racing in 2024 alongside Agustin Canapino who is expected to stay with the team following an impressive season with the team.
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing will have Graham Rahal and Christian Lundgaard while there are a number of drivers in the running for the third seat such as Juri Vips and Conor Daly.
AH Foyt Racing have Benjamin Pedersen under contract for 2024 while Santino Ferrucci has expressed an interest in staying with the team.
It was announced on Friday that David Malukas will join Pato O’Ward and Alexander Rossi from 2024 onwards while Kyle Larson will make his Indianapolis 500 debut with the team.
It will be interesting to see how Linus Lundqvist gets on a Chip Ganassi Racing as the defending INDY NXT presented by Firestone champion Will race for Chip Ganassi Racing.
It is expected that following the chequered flag at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey at WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday that Alex Palou will announce that he will stay with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2024 and beyond.
It was also confirmed earlier this week that Marcus Armstrong has signed a full-time contract to race with Chip Ganassi Racing and will make his oval debut at Texas Motor Speedway next weekend.
Speaking to the media ahead of the weekend at Laguna Seca, Chip Ganassi spoke about Scott Dixon and said how impressed he was with the Iceman who consildated second in the championship last weekend in Portland.
Ganassi joked that he sees Dixon continuing in INDYCAR for at least another 45 years.