Q: I hear that the powers that be in IndyCar shut down any dissenting voices. Journalist credentials can be withdrawn if an article displeases. What is it they are afraid of?
Oliver Wells
MP: Not true. But it’s fair to say the series’ displeasure with critical journalism can be felt in a variety of ways that are hard to ignore. I wouldn’t say ‘afraid.’ I’d say ‘unaccustomed to.’ The Penske Corporation, and its offshoot Penske Entertainment, haven’t been in the crosshairs of criticism from fans and reporters like this before, but it comes with the territory in IndyCar, so it has taken some time for the series’ new-ish owners to understand that criticism isn’t an enemy to defeat through harsh reactions. It’s something to defeat through improvement and growth.
Q: I have kind of a multi-part question on new hybrid unit for next year.
First, you mentioned that the wastegates get a break from P2P levels of boost next year. I know IndyCar has always adjusted the boost levels for various track types. The 500 never gets full power for the race, short ovals can be different from road and street etc. Is that still going to be the case next year, with various boost targets for various types of tracks? Any word on whether the hybrid power will also vary?
Second, has there been any decision on if regen will be automatic or driver controlled?
Bonus question! Hybrid units will add weight in the back, Gen2 of the aero screen will lower weight, lower the center of gravity, and shift the weight to the rear as well. I also heard there is a new magnesium-based trans case. As more details emerge, can you do a full review of all the 2024 changes, and how the total weight of the car is changing as well as how center of pressure and center of gravity will be affected?
Tyler, Milwaukee
MP: IMSA does this very thing with varying electric boost outputs, Tyler. At Daytona for the 24 Hour race, it’s 40hp for the GTP cars. Everywhere else, it’s 67hp. IndyCar can do the same thing with its energy recovery system, so it’s just a case of waiting to see what outputs they’ll choose for the various tracks. As for turbo boost settings, that’s another question waiting to be answered.
No decisions yet on how regen will happen. The new bellhousing and gearbox case is mag. CoP shouldn’t change unless aero changes are made, but yes on the rest. The hybrid powertrains are still in testing mode, so we aren’t in a place where every aspect of the units and how they’ll be used have been locked down.
Q: This Indy NXT season was considered sub-par due to the part-time entries. Half of the grid either completed or almost completed the full season. We are not sure how the grid will become for 2024. But the Indy NXT champion only gets 15 points towards the FIA Super License. USF Pro 2000 only has 10. USF2000 champions are yet to be given FIA Super License points. I understand that these series are considered the road to IndyCar, but if the Indy NXT grid increases, what will it take for the FIA to increase the Super License points? And when will the USF2000 and USF Juniors be eligible to receive Super License points?
JLS, Chicago, Ill
MP: Other than having been told by Jay Frye that IndyCar continues to talk with the FIA about giving drivers in American open-wheel racing more points, it’s just not something I follow or care much about since my focus is on what happens here and not how to make it easier for our drivers to go to F1.
Q: Why doesn’t IndyCar blatantly rip off, I mean learn from, IMSA and follow a similar formula to LMDH? GTP has Acura, BMW, Cadillac, and Porsche with Lamborghini joining next year. Telling the manufacturers to bring whatever engine they want to mate up to the a spec gearbox and hybrid system would mean they wouldn’t be playing catch-up to Chevy and Honda for years, like a new manufacturer would now.
Using the latest version of the DW12 monocoque as a spine for them to build their own body kits around that must have X of downforce and Y of drag would allow for brand identity that the current spec body kit doesn’t have.
Yes, I know that that would bring in the specter of BOP, but I see it as a necessary evil to achieve a larger number of manufacturers.
HB
MP: Think of an IMSA GTP car as a size 15 shoe. Then think of the space for engines between the tub and bellhousing in an IndyCar as a size 7.5 shoe. Except for the Acura, the other motors won’t fit. Ain’t happening, unfortunately.
Q: I continue to laugh at the crazy photo captions in the Mailbag. Perhaps I can fill in some details for the caption of the Milwaukee Mile from 2003.
The goofy guys in the costumes on the go-karts are the Usinger’s Sausage mascots. They appear everywhere in and around Milwaukee at all sorts of sporting events including The Milwaukee Mile. They do staged contests with whatever theme fits the sporting event. In this case, driving go-karts.
John Becker
MP: We need a sausage-kart race with the slowest 12 IndyCar drivers. Winner of that race starts from IndyCar’s pole. Last place drives the pace car.
Q: Long time reader, first time question. Will the new 2024 IndyCar hybrid engine require an external starter? I know in the past there was discussion that it wouldn’t, but that was in the old designs. I am unsure if the newer design Honda and Chevy are co-designing will remove the need for an external starter. I hope so!
Eric Williams, Champaign, IL
MP: That’s another wait-and-see item, Eric. At the Sebring hybrid test I attended in August, external starters were used.
Q: I’m writing this one because of something you said in a video from Laguna Seca about a situation with Romain Grosjean. My wife is very angry because you didn’t say anything about it. She asked me to send this email to the Mailbag so she could know what this fact is and telling me “I don’t like him any more because I want to know what happened.”
Also, the local media mentioned this year about some interest from Sao Paulo, Brazil in hosting an IndyCar race at Interlagos. Was this information received in IndyCar circles and how much of this is true? Is there any possibility, after all the issues with the older contract? (And even with some unpaid money from the CART days).
Renato Tonini, Sao Paulo, Brazil
MP: I asked IndyCar when the Brazil rumor made the rounds and was told there was nothing there. I mentioned in that video I’d either share the story in another video or on my podcast, and did so on my podcast. Please tell your wife she’s awesome.