Delayed hybrid system delivery has forced JHR to delay its off-season testing plans. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
Multiple IndyCar teams have been able to test out the series’ new hybrid engine components in the couple months since the 2023 season ended, but Juncos Hollinger Racing is not one of them.
The small outfit has yet to receive the new power elements, the designs of which are nearly finalized, and has delayed planned test sessions while waiting on the parts.
IndyCar’s larger teams have been participating in on-track testing to help develop the system throughout the year, with the largest test to date being a four-team outing around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway in mid-October.
Not all the teams have had the opportunity to learn about the system first hand, or indeed even had a chance to fit components to their cars in their shops.
Speaking to IndyCarLatinos.com, team co-owner Ricardo Juncos described how JHR has yet to receive any of the new components set to be used for the full 2024 season.
“The test plans for 2024 are all postponed because the delivery of the new components of the hybrid part is delayed,” said Juncos, via translation.
“So, for example, we have nothing. Not a single screw from the new part. We are still waiting and we still don’t know when we are going to receive it, so it is quite difficult to schedule something, we are on standby.
“The cars are put together as advanced as possible waiting to receive those new parts and then see how they are assembled into the car. It shouldn’t be so easy to connect them because the system is new.
“There is an electronic part that goes in the motor part and the capacitors that are located between the gearbox and the motor. Then there is the entire component of parts in the brakes, which is what generates the energy that will activate those capacitors to provide more energy.
“In short, we still have no idea what it will be like, so we hope to have the parts to install them as soon as possible and thus try to have the car ready for the first test, which was at the beginning of December and for now will be postponed.”
The first race of the 2024 IndyCar season will be run the weekend of March 10, so there are still over three months available in which to log some track time.
IndyCar officials are also unlikely to force any team to run the first race of the year without having a proper test with the new hybrid system, as that would be a massive disadvantage.
Not just power delivery, the new hybrid components include power regeneration through the braking system. Photo: Kevin Dejewski
The most recent word from Honda and Chevy representatives is that sourcing enough of the individual components to assemble systems for the entire grid has been one of the biggest challenges in the later stages of the development process, so it is possible there are not yet enough completed units to go around.
Once JHR receives their parts, the crew will have assistance from Chevy technicians in the installation and utilization of the new power system.
Agustin Canapino and Romain Grosjean are JHR’s drivers for next season, with Callum Ilott separating from the team last month and not yet confirming any plans for next season.
Keyword: JHR delays test plans while waiting on hybrid components