The current 2.2-litre twin-turbo V6s used in the IndyCar Series will be replaced in 2023 with 2.4-litre V6 units, still using twin turbos but also with a hybrid unit.
To simulate the effects of the 100hp boost that IndyCar is striving for from the hybrid unit on ovals as well as road and street courses, four cars will hit the Speedway tomorrow with their push-to-pass boost enabled.
Both of IndyCar’s current engine suppliers, Honda and Chevrolet, will have two cars in action – Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing and Alexander Rossi of Andretti Autosport for HPD, and Josef Newgarden (Team Penske) and Pato O’Ward (Arrow McLaren SP) for Chevy.
IndyCar will help guide the hybrid Push-to-Pass simulation starting at 1000hrs local time (ET), with choreographed group sessions lasting from 1300hrs to 1600hrs.
This is not the last time that these four drivers and teams will be on the Speedway before the Month of May, as there will be an open test held at IMS on 8-9 April.
There is further IndyCar testing expected next week, weather allowing, in the run-up to the first round of the IndyCar Series season at Barber Motorsports Park on 16-18 April.
On 29 March, both of Dale Coyne Racing-Honda’s drivers, Romain Grosjean and Ed Jones, are due to test at Sebring, along with Max Chilton of Carlin-Chevrolet.
Then on 31 March, 17 competitors should be in action at Texas Motor Speedway, host of the double-header (rounds three and four) at the start of May.
Expected to run are all four Penske-Chevys, all four Andretti Autosport-Hondas, the pairs from Ed Carpenter Racing-Chevy, AJ Foyt Racing-Chevy, Rahal Letterman Lanigan-Honda and Jack Harvey in the Meyer Shank Racing-Honda.