IndyCar’s new hybrid system faces first oval test 

After IndyCar successfully debuted its new hybrid system at Mid-Ohio last week, the field will utilise the new componentry on an oval for the first time in competition this weekend in Iowa.

The newly resurfaced Iowa Speedway represents the start of “Oval Season” with six of the final eight races to feature in the “braking is optional” rounds.

Having made its historical debut on a road course, the new hybrid system will see oval competition for the first time after a year of extensive testing (some 49,889.6 km to be exact), with the boost in horsepower set to add a thrilling new element to this weekend’s round.

Seperate from the push-to-pass boost that the series currently uses the innovative hybrid system is comprised of a low-voltage (48V) Motor Generator Unit (MGU) and Energy Storage System (ESS), consisting of 20 ultracapacitors, both of which fit inside the bellhousing located between the Chevrolet and Honda internal combustion engine and the gearbox.

It received positive views as a whole across the field after Mid-Ohio, with only Chip Ganassi’s Scott Dixon experiencing any cross-over gremlins as a result of the new system being installed.

So, how will it all work, and what are the conditional factors relating to Iowa Speedway?

With cornering speeds at Iowa expected to be at least 289 kph, throw in the fact that it’s newly resurfaced, with the new technology, there is a tense yet exciting feeling of unpredictability for this weekend.

Add in the fact that the hybrid componentry adds an extra 30kg to the cars – which has been countered with Firestones newer and harder tyres – so there will be a lot of extra energy running through the rear tyres.

Expect the higher line to be filled with much more discarded rubber to make for more slippery conditions on the newly paved surface, and the fact that teams have no in-race data as of yet throw up another curve ball…oh, and there’s a night race thrown into the equation, which will offer much cooler conditions.

Iowa will also see only a third of the hybrid deployment per lap as it had on the recent road course, which ultimately will account to having around three seconds of extra horsepower per revolution.

There are so many unpredictable factors at play heading into IndyCar’s Iowa double header

“The advantage isn’t as much as it was at Mid-Ohio, but at the same time, you do so many laps that I bet if there’s one guy that doesn’t use it in the race, you would see that he loses probably 10 seconds or something,” said Alex Palou, the current championship leader.

“The series is so competitive that if you give up one-tenth just because you’re lazy or something, it’s not going to help you.”

And whilst McLaren driver Pato O’Ward offered that “It really doesn’t do anything on ovals,” as Palou said, it will if you fail to utilise it when viewed from the “whole race” perspective.

Following each practice session, IndyCar officials have also allowed themselves the space to be able to adjust the available boost.

And in terms of harvesting the energy to utilise the new system for passing, drivers will need to be lifting off the throttle when drafting on ovals, which they can then deploy for passing manoeuvres.

To make it happen, a driver has the ability to squeeze on a paddle with a chosen amount of pressure without having to mess with the brake pedal whilst drafting, which is quite a unique element not really seen anywhere else in motorsport to the same effect.

Note: with the Push-to-Pass system giving drivers an extra 60hp worth of boost to the engine, gearbox and driveshaft – if used in tandem with the ESS – which also allows for a 60hp dose of power, drivers will have as much as 800hp at any one time.

The double header kicks off this weekend with the night race on July 13, and day race on July 14.

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