Overview
- The Dallara IR-28 completed its maiden on-track validation at Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Saturday with Alexander Rossi driving and reporting uniformly positive impressions.
- The test car used an Ilmor-built 2.4‑litre mule engine and ran without the hybrid system as planned, with only a single sensor replaced during the session.
- IndyCar and Dallara designed the clean-sheet chassis to shed roughly 100 pounds, house a refreshed 2.4‑litre twin‑turbo V6 and accept a new hybrid unit that holds far more energy while weighing less than the current system.
- New aerodynamic features such as tire-wake conditioners and bodywork-sculpted anti-lift elements are intended to reduce turbulent wake and promote deeper pack passing while a spec damper/inerter package aims to protect mechanical grip and limit team costs.
- IndyCar will follow a phased 'crawl, walk, run' program through October 2026, hand development cars to OEMs in late 2026/early 2027, add the hybrid in Q2 2027, and begin team deliveries after the 2027 season finale for a 2028 competitive debut.