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Hybrid Device in IndyCar 2025: Impact on Performance and the Challenges of Weight Distribution

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
March 18, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 2 mins read
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Hybrid Device in IndyCar 2025: Impact on Performance and the Challenges of Weight Distribution

The introduction of the hybrid device in the IndyCar series, whether deemed necessary or not, has sent shockwaves across the circuits, pushing many teams to their limits as they grapple with maximizing car setup. The hybrid was first seen on the track at Mid-Ohio in July of the previous year, yet it has not made an appearance in the initial seven races of this year’s calendar, which is nearly identical to the last.

The spotlight was initially focused on how drivers could potentially harness the device for an enhanced performance. The hybrid system allowed an energy boost each lap, the quantity of which varied according to the track, in addition to the 200 seconds of ‘push to pass’ permitted on road and street circuits.

However, the conversation within the paddock has now shifted to the impact of the additional weight of the unit on the car’s performance. The hybrid device adds a significant 120lbs (or over 54kg) to the car, but it’s not just the total weight that’s causing issues. The distribution and positioning of this weight, particularly towards the car’s rear, have proven to be a more significant factor.

This became evident in St Petersburg, where quite a few drivers were seen spinning out at the right-hand Turn 3 kink, a phenomenon some attributed to the extra weight. Although this turn has always been tricky, the issue seemed to have escalated this year, underscoring the challenges teams face in making the car both compliant and fast while accommodating the changes brought on by the hybrid.

These difficulties were further highlighted during a multi-team test at Barber last week, where it was hard to find a driver or team that didn’t acknowledge the impact of this new weight on their car’s performance. Teams can, of course, utilize the data and problem-solving strategies from the previous year to offset the additional weight, and they can also spend countless hours in the simulator.

However, none of these approaches can truly prepare the teams for the first on-track experience with this specification, factoring in the precise track surface and temperatures. To add to the complexity, one significant cause of fluctuating performance in the pre-hybrid era was the tyre compound used at each race. A new compound invariably disrupts the competitive order, and while it may not always bring about a complete shift, it undoubtedly has a significant impact.

Now, teams are juggling the new challenges of weight distribution due to the hybrid, and the unpredictable nature of tyre behavior in relation to surface and temperatures. Naturally, the larger teams with more resources are better equipped to handle these changes. However, that doesn’t imply they’ve been impervious to the peculiarities of setting up an IndyCar in 2025.

Smoothing out these issues is a difficult task. Most teams had three days of pre-season testing, after which their overall setup philosophy is more or less set in stone due to lack of testing time for major alterations. A minor tweak in one area can completely offset another.

This situation can be likened to a solo seesaw ride, where sitting on one side causes the other to swing out of control. Looking solely at the results, it may appear that the top teams continue to dominate and the competitive order remains unchanged. However, every team is undoubtedly wrestling with the effects of the added weight and trying to adapt their car setup from track to track in an effort to gain an edge.

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