IndyCar unveils 2018 bodywork renderings

"While this remains a work in progress, we are encouraged with where the development of the 2018 car stands," said IndyCar president of competition Jay Frye. "The look of the car is bold, the performance data from simulations is meeting targeted goals and safety enhancements built into the design will be substantial."

In Speedway trim, the universal bodywork confirms a number of initiatives Frye's competition team has implemented that differ from the base 2012 Dallara DW12. The move to a low engine cover has been known for some time, but detail items like reconfigured front tire anti-interlocking devices – often referred to as the "sponsor blockers" (pictured below) by some team owners – that obscured the sidepods will come as a welcome change. In the rendering, the smaller floor-mounted anti-interlocking fins have been rotated 180 degrees and taper toward the rear, giving a clear view of the sidepods and sponsor logos. The fins are also being considered for complete removal once the 2018 bodywork is finalized.

The removal of the boxy rear wheel guards – the "Kardashians," as they were quickly dubbed – is another drastic alteration that will help the DW12 to present itself as a more traditional open-wheel design.

"We've been working on the aerodynamics to suit the look, rather than the other way around," said Tino Belli, the former IndyCar race engineer who serves as the series' director of aerodynamic development.

Other interesting items have been confirmed, such as the re-routing of the air inlets for the twin-turbo Chevy and Honda engines from the roll hoop to inside the sidepods. A big decision has also been made by IndyCar to fill the large holes in the leading edge of the floor for road/street courses and short ovals.
That change, which will return a significant amount of downforce to the underwing, will help the series in its quest to reduce the DW12's reliance on topside aerodynamic devices to make downforce by making more downforce beneath the cars.

"We're working on creating more of the downforce from the underwing," Belli added. "The hole in the floor will be sealed for the road courses and short ovals, but will still be open for the superspeedways."
Belli has also led the design of new front and rear wing main planes, and in high-downforce specification, the multi-element rear wing package will be wider and lower.

A new roll hoop faring, slightly repositioned mirrors, and integrated rear tire ramps are also visible in the new rendering. Noticeably absent from the 2018 rendering is the cockpit aeroscreen developed by IndyCar.