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IndyCar has delayed the introduction of its new hybrid engine until 2024 due to what it calls “ongoing global supply chain challenges”.
The 2.4-litre unit – up from the 2.2 in use since 2012 – will be tested on track from next month at Sebring, but its introduction in competition will have to wait another year.
“We are pleased with the pace of the technical development of the 2.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-6 hybrid as we prepare it for competition,” said IndyCar President Jay Frye.
“We are very encouraged by the progress our team and our partners have made, but an immediate decision needed to be made to ensure we are prepared for the 2023 season utilizing our current 2.2-litre engine package.
“Thanks to our great partners at Honda and Chevrolet for working through this challenging supply chain situation.
“We are going full speed ahead with the 2.4-litre hybrid engine and cannot wait to have it on track in 2024.”
In a press release issued by IndyCar, both of the manufacturers, Chevrolet and Honda, issued their support for the series moving forward despite the delay.
“We are proud of the hard work and level of commitment by our engine group, along with our teams and partners, in the development of the Chevrolet 2.4-liter engine for our INDYCAR program,” said Mark Stielow, director, GM Motorsports Competition Engineering.
“We were certainly excited to have it on track next season. Chevrolet remains fully committed to the NTT IndyCar Series, and we look forward to debuting our future engine package in 2024.”
The decision has been taken now in order to give the teams enough lead time to produce parts for the 2.2 litre engine.
Honda Performance Development president David Salters added: “We are very excited to get the electrified era of IndyCar Series racing underway.
“We have finished development and dyno testing of our new internal combustion engine, and once the hybrid system component supply chain issues are sorted, we’ll begin track testing of the new hybrid power unit.”
Both manufacturers have had their units on dynos ahead of next month’s on-track debut.
