Newgarden: Hybrid Usage Will Be Critical to Win 2024 Indy 500
Josef Newgarden believes mastering the hybrid system will be crucial for success in the upcoming Indianapolis 500, marking the race's first hybrid era.
"The hybrid utilization here will be the most impactful of anywhere we've gone," states Newgarden, the two-time defending Indy 500 champion. The system's effectiveness is particularly notable at Indianapolis due to the track's low drag characteristics and long straightaways.
Josef Newgarden at 108th Indy 500
Key challenges for teams include:
- Strategic use of the 60hp hybrid boost
- Managing the Energy Recovery System (ERS) charging
- Adapting to the additional 100 pounds from the ERS unit
- Optimizing suspension settings for tire longevity
"The weight and complexity will show its true difference when we get into a big pack on a hot day, trying to do 30 laps," Newgarden explains. Teams will focus on finding solutions during the Open Test and May practice sessions at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The 108th running of the Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for May 25, with teams and drivers working to master these new technical challenges that will reshape the race's competitive landscape.