The NTT IndyCar Series has released technical details of some of the new components that will be used for the upcoming 2024 season.
A few separate areas are receiving upgrades, with the benefits ranging from crash safety, to visibility, to driver comfort.
One of the most noticeable changes will be the addition of LED lights embedded in the ends of the rear wing endplates.
The lights will face backwards towards a trailing car, and will help the driver judge the distance to the car in front, particularly during wet race conditions where road spray can obscure most of the view.
The rear attenuator already featured a red light in the center of the car, and will now be augmented by the new lights that help to show where the edges of the car are located.
Another new benefit that will help drivers perform well during demanding race conditions is the addition of new cooling vents in the protective Aeroscreen.
New vents near the top and the bottom of the polycarbonate screen will direct significantly more air to the driver and will help move hot air out of the cockpit.
Stagnant air has been a problem since the Aeroscreen’s introduction, with drivers often complaining about how the conditions in the car can become unsafe when the ambient temperature hits its peak in the summertime.
The new screen with the updated vents will be available beginning with the IMS road course race in early May, and will be used during the road and street courses for the remainder of the season.
From a more technical side, IndyCar is also mandating a few new parts that help keep wheels attached to the cars during an accident.
The updates come as a direct result of Kyle Kirkwood’s crash during the most recent Indianapolis 500, which saw his wheel become detached from the car and fly over the catch fencing.
All cars will now feature a stronger rear upright, and will have the wheel tethers mounted to the new component rather than the caliper attachment studs.
Stronger wheel bearing retaining nuts, which were introduced in the middle of last year, will now be used for all four wheels instead of just for the rear wheels.
Together the new updates will help provide safer race conditions for drivers and fans alike. In addition, the highly anticipated hybrid powertrain is still scheduled to be introduced mid-season, and will present a big change for drivers and teams at the halfway point in the championship.
