IndyCar delays switch to hybrid engines by a year due to shortages

It is not only in Formula 1 that the sport is innovating. There are also big plans ready for the IndyCar in America. For the American racing class, next season seemed to be a special one, with new engines. Now the organisation of the IndyCar has decided to postpone the latter change for a year, due to the shortage of materials.

The NTT INDYCAR SERIES said in A statement on the official site. "Due to the current challenges in the global supply of components, the IndyCar has decided to postpone the debut of the 2.4 liter V6 twin-turbo engines with a hybrid component until 2024. This decision was made by the organization in conjunction with engine suppliers Honda and Chevrolet.

The original plan was to drive with the new engines for the first time this season. Because of the pandemic, this was already postponed to 2023 and now the date is moved forward another year. What will happen this year is the first test with the new engines. At the end of March, the IndyCar will meet the new engines for the first time at Sebring International Raceway.

In the following year, they will further test the engines together with Chevrolet and Honda, in order to develop and prepare them for their debut in the IndyCar in 2024. Chances are that Dutchman Rinus Veekay will then also be driving around with the new hybrid engines. The Dutchman is currently in his third year of IndyCar and seems to have acquired a taste for it. Last weekend he opened the 2022 season with a good sixth place in St.-Petersburg.