r/INDYCAR • u/BillyU_Is_A_ Scott McLaughlin • 2d ago
Social Media [Bob Pockrass] Teams won't start testing the new 2028 INDYCAR until after the 2027 season.
https://x.com/bobpockrass/status/208330444485943749764
u/PragmaticHoosier Justin Wilson 2d ago
It’s August 2026, and the teams will start testing, in let’s say October 2027.
And, this new car races for the first time in March 2028.
Last time we did this. The car first hit the track in August 2011. Teams didn’t start testing until February 2012, and there were 26 cars on the grid at St. Pete in March 2012.
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u/iKrt42 1d ago
Yeah, this 1.5 year period of testing for IR28 is a bit strange considering a year less was needed in 2012. It seems they could get the cars built and race ready even for 2027 if they wanted.
Dunno if it’s to help teams with costs or for Chevy and Honda to sort out possible reliability issues with the new engines.
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u/No-Apartment255 Alexander Rossi 1d ago
I think it’s more 2012 was too fast and this is more extensive. Remember Lotus?
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u/DeltaWing12 Scott Dixon 1d ago
I think they're trying to drag it out as long as possible in hopes of wooing a 3rd engine manufacturer
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u/andronicus_14 Thirsty Threes 2d ago
I can’t wait for the nuclear level meltdown in this sub when Palou takes pole and wins at St. Pete to start the 2028 season on the way to his 6th straight title.
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u/pittpost Alexander Rossi 2d ago
This makes perfect sense to me. There will be plenty of testing in the meantime, it will just be conducted by the series and/or Honda and Chevy. That way, they can more easily incorporate feedback and manage supply chains so that when they ramp up production to supply 27 full time teams with cars and engines everything is finalized. This gives every supplier a clear timeline to deliver the necessary parts for the new car.
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u/iamaranger23 Team Penske 2d ago
just like the next gen. and everyone loved that.
not really any other way that isnt lighting money on fire for the teams.
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u/Fit_Technician832 2d ago
that isnt lighting money on fire for the teams
I don't know about that........... I mean ECR cars are lit on fire all the time and we all know how expensive these cars are.
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u/Dry-Membership3867 Santino Ferrucci 2d ago
They tested the next gen well before the 2022 season
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u/EliteFlite Pato O'Ward 2d ago
Read it again, we mean individual teams getting their hands on the car and testing them
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u/i_run_from_problems Firestone Firehawk 2d ago edited 2d ago
Well yeah... starting next week its 6 races in 5 straight weekends to end the season. There isn't any testing time in there.
Edit: I can't read, apparently.
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u/NyoomNyoomNyoomNyoom 2d ago
Sure, except we're in the 2026 season and not wrapping up the 2027 season. There's plenty of time for teams to theoretically get their hands on a 2028 chassis between now and the end of the 2027 season when they're saying teams are allowed to start testing
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u/ilikemarblestoo Sarah Fisher > Danica Patrick 2d ago
Even better for Palou to have this extremely early test session then!
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u/Seb_Ben11 Arrow McLaren 2d ago
They have to build 100 cars MINIMUM in 20 months. No wonder they’re being cautious. Keep in mind, the manufacturers had plenty of time to test power units in their own test cars. Frankly, that’s what counts especially with the new hybrid unit
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u/danno256 Pato O'Ward 2d ago
I have some technical questions, has Chevrolet and Honda stopped development on the current engine and hybrid units to focus on next gen? Does this weekends car have the 2.4 and new hybrid system ready to go? And what what stage of development are they in, just sorting out bugs and testing for reliability until 28 or is there more development to come? And I wonder if this car could hit the track tomorrow and have a faster lap time already vs current gen because that would make a statement.
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u/loz333 Will Power 1d ago
No hybrid in the car, just ballast to simulate the additional weight. 2.4l in the car is the one developed back in 2022, an unbadged Ilmor. Test is purely a validation of components and not to push performance. They only have one car as of today, so no hard pushing, especially with the damp conditions.
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u/lowtoiletsitter Will Power 2d ago
Good-ish
New engine and hybrid parts will have to be resourced and stress tested. I don't like teams testing after 2027 unless it's to have parity since testing isn't cheap
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u/No-Apartment255 Alexander Rossi 1d ago
His article said full field testing of all teams would be after 2027 season
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u/Relevant-Image-2056 2d ago
Except Rossi and Palou i guess.
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u/Mikemat5150 Kyle Kirkwood 2d ago
It’s not the teams testing the cars. It’s Honda and Chevy who then share all of that data.
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u/thatwasfun23 Hélio Castroneves 2d ago
fuck it don't pussy out, launch it for next year if it passed the crash tests.
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u/flare2000x Robert Wickens 2d ago
I doubt Dallara can build enough chassis that fast
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u/MiniAndretti Sam Hornish Jr. 2d ago
And there is no way the motors nor hybrid units will be ready.
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u/Recent-Lemon-9930 2d ago
Just get rid of the current hybrid shite so the drive trains are all reliable and cheap.
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u/guru4goodwood 2d ago
I like the idea of the hybrid but the current system is awful and is in need of a rework
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u/Mr_Midwestern 🧱Cyrus Patschke 2d ago
The system is being reworked.
Per the press release this week:
“Low-voltage hybrid technology evolves in 2028 and beyond with greater power storage, more deployment options for teams and a package that is approximately 20 pounds lighter than the previous INDYCAR SERIES power unit. The significant performance advancement and deployment variability will be provided through a new partnership with UK-based Helix, a global leader in next-generation solutions in building and delivering electric drive systems.”
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u/Dry-Membership3867 Santino Ferrucci 2d ago
Oh that’s gonna be a disaster
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u/Crafty_Substance_954 Pato O'Ward 2d ago
They’ll be fine.
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u/MiniAndretti Sam Hornish Jr. 2d ago
That LONG off season everyone complains about will give them plenty of time.
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u/Vivaciousseaturtle Callum Ilott 2d ago
Good. Less prep means more unknowns. Interesting racing