Hond Engine Indianapolis, IN - during testing at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. (Photo by Joe Skibinski | IMS Photo)

IndyCar News: No additional hybrid power in 2025

The NTT IndyCar Series will race with substantially the same amount of hybrid power in 2025 as was available for its debut this past season.

–by Mark Cipolloni–

The hybrid system did not result in any better racing because, like the Push-to-Pass Turbo Boost system, the hybrid power could be used both defensively and offensively.

With relatively strict deployment limits imposed per lap and a ridiculously small 60 horsepower available from the electrified components, the added weight of the system all but nullified the gains and lap times stayed nearly the same as years prior.

In other words, the cost to implement the technology was a complete waste.

While speaking at the ePartrade Race Industry Week virtual conference, IndyCar President Jay Frye revealed that any increases in power will not be introduced before the 2026 season.

“This year, we ran [the hybrid system] for basically half of the season,” said Frye. “Next year will be the first time we run it for a full season. Probably the first time we see any increase in it will be in 2026.

“Think of it like this: the hybrid unit has about 60 horsepower and Push-to-Pass has about 60 horsepower. Those combinations will still be used and available to the drivers.

“Next year will be the first year we have it at the Indy 500, which will be different. Next year will be kind of a status quo, and we’ll look at it differently for ’26 and going forward.”

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