As the 2025 Indianapolis 500 approaches on May 25, drivers and teams face a new and potentially decisive factor beyond the usual challenge of winning the race: the formal debut of IndyCar’s hybrid unit on the 2.5-mile oval at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Since its introduction at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in July 2024, the hybrid drivetrain has been tested and raced on all track types except superspeedways, making the Indy 500 its first true test in this unique setting. Josef Newgarden, the two-time defending Indy 500 champion driving the No. 2 Team Penske Chevrolet, is already working to understand how the hybrid’s presence will affect race dynamics and vehicle performance in what promises to be an intense battle for victory.
Teams have had the opportunity to test the hybrid system at IMS since last year, and all drivers took to the track using the new technology during April’s Open Test. However, this official practice session signifies a critical milestone, as everything must function flawlessly in preparation for the most prestigious event on the IndyCar calendar. Newgarden’s insights focus less on the hybrid’s power delivery and more on the challenges created by the increased weight the system brings to the cars, which he describes as a major factor altering car behavior on the track.
Josef Newgarden explained after Wednesday’s practice. He emphasized how the additional mass affects tire performance and demands teams to rethink weight distribution strategies—a puzzle still being addressed across the paddock as teams seek the perfect setup before race day.
Newgarden elaborated,
He further drew a powerful comparison to other forms of racing, saying,
This perspective vividly illustrates the engineering challenge teams face as they adapt to the hybrid’s weight while preserving competitive handling.
While the hybrid system has already been utilized on road and street courses, as well as varied ovals such as Iowa Speedway, WWT Raceway, and the Milwaukee Mile throughout the 2024 season, Newgarden stressed that its influence will be markedly different at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The superspeedway setting features very low aerodynamic drag, making the hybrid’s power delivery especially critical.
Newgarden remarked.
Josef Newgarden also highlighted the strategic elements of deploying and regenerating hybrid power during the race, explaining how mastering this aspect could tip the scales in crucial moments, especially in a close-fought finish.
he stated. This suggests that drivers who effectively manage the hybrid system’s energy output may gain valuable advantages on race day.
With less than ten days remaining before the Greatest Spectacle In Racing, curiosity and anticipation build around which driver will successfully harness the hybrid’s capabilities to claim victory. Josef Newgarden’s experience and thoughtful approach to the hybrid’s impact position him as a key figure to watch, as the 2025 Indy 500 could well be shaped by the innovative technology reshaping IndyCar competition.
