Power explains new IndyCar hybrid tech

Australia’s Will Power has so far turned the most laps with IndyCar’s new hybrid technology that’s set to debut in the 2024 season, and the Penske racer gave his thoughts on the deployment and nuances of the new system.

A handful of drivers recently completed more testing with the new hybrid component, which is a motor generator unit fitted at the rear where the remote starter currently attaches to the gearbox, whilst the super capacitor – which stores the energy – is fitted inside the bell housing.

The new hybrid unit is predominantly for the push-to-pass system, which suits the super capacitor’s effectiveness for short bursts of energy rather than it being aimed at long lasting power.

Power is a big fan of the new technology, which adds another element for drivers to use to get an advantage, and says that the drivers who can use it most efficiently will have a leg up on the rest of the field, but it is still uncertain on how “manual” the technology will be come the start of the season.

Power piloting a Penkse Chev at Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the new hybrid tech

The Aussie was amongst six drivers to recently take part in further testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval, and firstly described how it would be used at the Indy 500 for example.

“I have to say in qualifying for the Indianapolis 500, you’re going to be pretty busy on that first lap. I’m pretty sure you’ll regenerate on that lap, then you’ll decide when you’ll deploy,” Power said. 

“Between that, the weight jacker, switching the fuel slot and managing the anti-roll bars, you’ll be pretty busy in qualifying.”

With the current push-to-pass having a set amount of horsepower in its boosting capacity, Power explains that the new system allows it to be more variable, but that it’s still open for Indycar rule makers to set the rules.

“You can play with the deployment a lot. You can have a lot of power for a short time or you can spread that out. 

“I think on road and street courses, you pretty much get all the way through fifth gear with deployment, which is a key area of getting power for lap time. 

“That’s all stuff you can really play with a lot, or the series can. It just depends how much they want to use it. This thing is just adding more power. I’m hoping this is used out of every single corner on a road and street course just for more horsepower.”

Back to the use of the super capacitor for the Indy 500, Power further explained the regeneration process in a race environment.

“As soon as you’re in the draft of someone, you’re going to be regenerating. Then, you’re going to be trying to time that deploy for when you want to pass. 

“Maybe you’re not going to pass the opponent, and you’ll switch off and regenerate again, waiting for a better run. I think that will be really based on how you’re running. I think you’ll try to keep that tank full. Instead of hitting the limiter or lifting, you’ll grab the paddle to regenerate. It will just be a constantly changing thing.

“There are so many variables that go on when you’re out there. We’ll see when we run (in the spring). It will be part of the game, another tool that you’ve got to be good at, and be pretty smart with the way you use it.”

With the technology still being tested, IndyCar has not yet stated how it will be used throughout the 2024 season, and whether it will vary for road, street, and oval courses in how the regeneration is utilised with the paddle on the steering wheel – ie, auto or manual regeneration.

“I think the way IndyCar is going to use it on road and street courses, with automatic regeneration, it’s not going to matter. The auto won’t have too much interaction with the driver. To me, that’s a good thing. 

“I think they’re still considering the rules because you may have it where you have auto regeneration and deploy, but you also have the ability to pull the paddle.

“Instead of getting into the hard limiter in top gear, you use the hybrid system as a regenerative tool. There’s still a lot of stuff to go through.

“I have had a lot of miles in that thing. I think if you’re having to pull that paddle, it would be an advantage (for me) because that is quite awkward on a road course to be grabbing that, hitting the button every time out of the corner, but I don’t think that will be the case. 

“The last test we had we weren’t doing that – it was auto everything. I think they’re still trying to understand how best to use it, which I think the best way to use it is to get the most out of it for lap time, which is using it as much as we can. First, the priority is going to be reliability.”

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