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Remaining teams to conduct next IndyCar hybrid test
Every hybrid powertrain test conducted by the NTT IndyCar Series and its engine suppliers at Chevrolet and Honda have made use of the same four teams. That’s due to change at the next hybrid test scheduled for March 28-29 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course where, after nearly a year of waiting, the other six full-time teams will get to turn laps in cars that make use of IndyCar’s energy recovery system.
With Chip Ganassi (Honda) and Team Penske (Chevy) as the first teams nominated to conduct hybrid testing by their engine manufacturers, and Andretti Global (Honda) and Arrow McLaren (Chevy) added to the program, the quartet has handled the development of the Chevy- and Honda-built motor generator unit (MGU) and energy storage system (ESS) as A.J. Foyt Racing, Dale Coyne Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, Juncos Hollinger Racing, Meyer Shank Racing, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing have bristled on the sidelines.
“It's a disappointment to not have been able to test it so far,” RLL’s Graham Rahal told RACER. “You know, the teams that have been able to test it so far gonna have a clear advantage, just because of the mileage that they've gotten. We’ll never be able to get close to what they have done, the mileage they've accumulated and knowledge that they have gained through the offseason. But it is what it is.”
The end-of-March test will complete a busy month for IndyCar teams with the March 8-10 St. Petersburg race in Florida that opens the season, IMSA’s 12 Hours of Sebring across March 14-16 in Florida where many drivers and teams will be in action, and the March 22-24 test and $1 Million Challenge all-star race at California’s The Thermal Club before turning around and heading east for the hybrid test at IMS.
“Trust me, it’s gonna be busy times for everyone, so we’ve just gotta go out there and do the best we can with what we know about the hybrid setup,” Rahal added. “Hopefully, Honda can provide us with a lot of information and data to be able to learn from on our side before we get there.”
If its plans hold, IndyCar will introduce its hybrid powertrain in competition at some point after the Indianapolis 500, with the July 5-7 Mid-Ohio race weekend being anticipated by teams as the event where it will happen.
Marshall Pruett
The 2026 season marks Marshall Pruett's 40th year working in the sport. In his role today for RACER, Pruett covers open-wheel and sports car racing as a writer, reporter, photographer, and filmmaker. In his previous career, he served as a mechanic, engineer, and team manager in a variety of series, including IndyCar, IMSA, and World Challenge.
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